Fehmarnbelt Business Summit 2024: A Major Success

Yesterday, DI – Dansk Industri hosted the Fehmarnbelt Business Summit 2024, which was a great success with more than 300 participants from Germany, Sweden, and Denmark.

Key Takeaways:
1. The German Government and Deutsche Bahn have focus on the timely completion of the Hinterland connection by 2029.
2. The potential for regional development and business growth in the Fehmarnbelt region, particularly in tourism, green energy, and life sciences.
3. The importance of overcoming cultural and language barriers to create an integrated labor market.

The program was divided into three parts: infrastructure, regional development, and labor.

The conference was opened with a speech by Germany’s Ambassador to Denmark, Dr. Pascal Hector, who acknowledged the important cooperation between Denmark, Sweden, and Germany, where the Fixed Link plays a significant role. Therefore, it is also a prioritized task for the German government to ensure that the so-called Hinterland connection is completed on time and ready by 2029. Ulrike Scenka-van Cappelleveen from Deutsche Bahn also reported that the project on the German side is well underway and elaborated on the plan and handling of challenges ahead.

The first presentations were followed up by Prof. Dr. Jan Ninnemann, who has conducted an implication study analyzing the consequences and costs of delays (see link in the comments).

The Danish Minister for Rural Districts, Morten Dahlin, opened the debate on regional development, highlighting the great potential on both the German and Danish sides.

Afterwards, CEO of Øresundsbron, Linus Eriksson, and Peter Lanng Nielsen, CEO of Keolis Danmark A/S, shared their insights on the experiences from 24 years with the Øresund Link. One key takeaway is that a Fixed Link between countries is not just an infrastructure project; it requires building connections between people and countries, such as overcoming legal issues, as done with the Øresund Agreement.

Emil Fannikke Kiær from DI – Dansk Industri, Brian Mikkelsen from the Danish Chamber of Commerce, Lars Schøning from IHK zu Lübeck, and Line Fossing Riel from Business Hub Zealand discussed the opportunities to create growth and business development in the region around the Fixed Link. Among other things, there are several common denominators between Northern Germany and Zealand, such as tourism, green energy, and life sciences, making it possible to create a strong united position.

How do we create the best foundation for an integrated labor market? This was discussed by Maria Heesch from Aabenraa Kommune, Karsten Olsen from Fleggaard Holding A/S, and Burkhard Winski from Danfoss, all of whom have experience from the Danish-German border in Jutland. It requires effort to recruit German employees, and the workplace must prepare itself for cultural differences and language barriers.

The conference concluded with a discussion between Lars Sandahl Sørensen from DI – Dansk Industri and Dr. Malte Heyne from Handelskammer Hamburg. Both see enormous potential in the two metropolises moving closer together, making the region able to attract businesses, investments, and tourists from all over the world, and strengthening Europe as a whole in a time of crisis.

Here you find link to Prof. Dr. Jan Ninnemans Implication Study:
New study shows the economic consequences of potential delays in the Hinterland connection – FBBC – Fehmarnbelt Business Council

Here you find link to Analysis on the labour market potential in the Fehmarnbelt Region and concrete recommendations to strengthen the mobility of labour across the Femern Belt Region:
New analysis on ‘The labour market potential in the Femern Belt Region’ now available – FBBC – Fehmarnbelt Business Council