On April 30th, 2025, Parichat Haehnen and I had the pleasure of meeting with Dominik Bartz and Tim Gosewinkel from Duisburg Business & Innovation GmbH. It was an exciting and insightful discussion focused on strengthening future business ties between #Duisburg, #Japan, and #Thailand.
Yu Shimokawa
- International Executive Recruitment Specialist for local management placements in Germany
- 15 years of experience as executive search, recruitment, and headhunting consultants in
- Tokyo, Japan for 1 year
- Bangkok, Thailand for 10 Years
- Dรผsseldorf, Germany for 4+ Years
- Currently based in Duisburg, Germany
Table of Contents
Exploring Future Opportunities with Duisburg Business & Innovation
What stood out during our conversation was the immense potential Duisburg holds as a strategic location for international business expansion. Often overshadowed by its larger neighbor Dรผsseldorf, Duisburg is truly a hidden gemโoffering a unique blend of affordability, accessibility, and quality of life.
While Dรผsseldorf is home to the largest Japanese community in Europe and a well-established hub for Asian businesses, the rising cost of living and operating there is becoming a challenge. Thatโs where Duisburg shines. Just a 15-minute train ride or 20-minute drive from Dรผsseldorf, and only 20 km from the international airport, Duisburg offers all the connectivity without the congestion.
But itโs not just about logistics. Duisburg is green, peaceful, and family-friendly. With its abundance of forests, lakes, parks, and canals, it provides a refreshing contrast to the hustle of larger cities. Having moved here from Dรผsseldorf and Cologne three years ago, Iโve experienced firsthand how much more space and serenity Duisburg offersโmaking it an ideal place to raise a family and build a business.
Thatโs why I chose to base my recruitment company, YS Global Search (YSGS), right here in Duisburg. The supportive business environment, combined with a high quality of life, makes it a fantastic place to grow both personally and professionally.
Weโre excited about the possibilities ahead and look forward to building stronger bridges between Duisburg and Asia. A big thank you to Dominik and Tim for the warm welcome and inspiring exchange!
5 Points of Attractiveness of Duisburg as a business location
Here is our discussion on the attractiveness of Duisburg as a business location๐ค โจ
๐. ๐๐จ๐ ๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐ข๐๐ฌ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ง๐๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐ซ๐ฎ๐๐ญ๐ฎ๐ซ๐
Europe’s largest inland port: Duisburg is home to the Port of Duisburg (#Duisport), a major logistics hub linking road, rail and waterways, which is particularly beneficial for trade with Eastern Europe and Asia. Excellent highway and rail connections to the Ruhr region, Germany and beyond. Close proximity to Dรผsseldorf Airport and other major Western European markets.
๐. ๐๐๐๐๐ฌ๐ฌ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐ค๐ข๐ฅ๐ฅ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐จ๐ซ
As part of the Ruhr industrial region, Duisburg has a large, skilled workforce in logistics, manufacturing, engineering and IT. Strong links with universities and technical institutions (such as the University of Duisburg-Essen) provide talent and research opportunities.
๐. ๐๐๐๐จ๐ซ๐๐๐๐ฅ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ข๐ง๐๐ฌ๐ฌ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ข๐ฏ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐จ๐ฌ๐ญ๐ฌ
Compared to nearby cities like #Dรผsseldorf or #Cologne, commercial real estate and living costs are lower in Duisburg, making it attractive for start-ups and SMEs.
๐. ๐๐ฎ๐ฉ๐ฉ๐จ๐ซ๐ญ๐ข๐ฏ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ข๐ง๐๐ฌ๐ฌ ๐๐ง๐ฏ๐ข๐ซ๐จ๐ง๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ
Duisburg Business & Innovation and local authorities and chambers offer support services for new businesses, including foreign entrepreneurs. Financial incentives and support programs are available, particularly in the areas of innovation, logistics and sustainable development.
๐. ๐๐ง๐๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ญ๐ซ๐ข๐๐ฅ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ญ๐ฎ๐ซ๐๐ฅ ๐๐ซ๐๐ง๐ฌ๐๐จ๐ซ๐ฆ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง
Duisburg is transitioning from heavy industry to a knowledge-based economy with a focus on smart logistics, environmental technology and digitalization. Urban development projects are revitalizing the city and making it more attractive to talent and investors.
Learn more๐
Duisburg Business & Innovation
#BusinessDevelopment #InternationalBusiness #YSGlobalSearch #Germany #AsiaEuropeBridge #Innovation #InvestmentOpportunities #LifeInDuisburg #Duisburg #Germany
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions regarding recruitment in Germany/Europe. We will be happy to provide you with the latest market trends and information based on our own recent recruitment experience.
