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ARTICLE · 18 DECEMBER 2019

Germany's Foreign Direct Investment Regime: Further Changes Ahead

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On November 29, 2018, the German Minister for Economic Affairs, Peter Altmaier, presented its "National Industry Strategy 2030."

GlobalGovernment, Public Sector
Axel Vogelmann
Axel Vogelmann
Markus Käppler
Markus Käppler
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Key Points

  • On November 29, 2018, the German Minister for Economic Affairs, Peter Altmaier, presented its "National Industry Strategy 2030." Amongst other things, the strategy paper sets out the key points of the Minister's plans to expand the ability of the German government to screen and prohibit acquisitions of German companies by Non-EU investors under the German Foreign Trade Regulation (AWV). The Minister expects that the requisite amendments of the AWV will be enacted by October 2020.
  • According to the strategy paper, the list of security-relevant acquisitions shall be extended; acquisitions of 10 percent or more shares in the sectors of artificial intelligence, robotics, semiconductors, biotechnologies and quantum technologies by Non-EU investors shall henceforth become subject to screening by the German Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi). In addition, it is expected that the requirements for the prohibition of an acquisition will be modified:

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