81012Jutland callingContentsTogether with its neighbours in thenorth and south, <strong>Central</strong> <strong>Denmark</strong><strong>Region</strong> has managed to put western<strong>Denmark</strong> on the world map and attractmore foreign investment.Silkeborg spreads its wingsOne of China’s biggest wind turbinemanufacturers, Envision Energy, hasestablished a global innovation centrein Silkeborg.Relaxed creativity<strong>Central</strong> <strong>Denmark</strong> <strong>Region</strong> is in a networkwith the world’s most creativeregions. The Belgian head of thenetwork is impressed and inspiredby his first visit here.1416THEME<strong>Denmark</strong> on her CV21-year-old Slovakian Monika is doingwell at VIA Campus Horsens, where sheis studying marketing management.When she has seen the world, she willsettle permanently in <strong>Denmark</strong>.My favourite universityRick L. Edgeman has left a managementjob at the University of Idaho tobecome professor of sustainability atAarhus University. He likes the fact thatthe students question his teaching andhave learned to think for themselves.Karen Maguire, <strong>OECD</strong>: “It’s impressive howfast the region has established itself as arecognised player and paved the way fordialogue and cooperation between relevantplayers in its hinterland.”Photo: Niels Åge SkovboThe <strong>Region</strong> through outsiders’ eyesPublished by: <strong>Region</strong>al Development,<strong>Central</strong> <strong>Denmark</strong> <strong>Region</strong>Editor-in-chief: Lars VildbradEditor: Marianne Harbomarianne.harbo@ru.rm.dkGraphic production: Grafisk ServicePhotos: Niels Åge Skovbo#15We connect people<strong>Central</strong> <strong>Denmark</strong> <strong>Region</strong> covers the central partof Jutland from coast to coast. With approx.1.3 million inhabitants, it is <strong>Denmark</strong>’s secondlargest region after the Capital <strong>Region</strong>.The landscape in <strong>Central</strong> <strong>Denmark</strong> <strong>Region</strong> isvery varied, from the North Sea and its dunes inthe west through beautiful lake highlands in thecentre to attractive bays and idyllic inlets on theeastern side of the region.Attractive region for companies<strong>Central</strong> <strong>Denmark</strong> <strong>Region</strong> has great growthand development potential and is opento international cooperation. The regionrepresents a vibrant economic life, strongcompetencies in relation to knowledgeenvironments, research and education, andrapid population growth. In the eastern part ofthe region, the growth zone Aarhus attractsmanpower and investments, partly becauseof the many institutions of higher educationincluding Aarhus University which is rankedamong the world’s top 100 universities. Aarhusalso has <strong>Denmark</strong>’s largest container port foroverseas container transport. The western partof <strong>Central</strong> <strong>Denmark</strong> <strong>Region</strong> is the cradle forseveral major companies, such as Bestseller(clothing), Bang & Olufsen (high-end televisions,music systems etc.), Vestas Wind Systems(wind turbines) and Siemens Wind Power (windturbines).Positions of strength<strong>Central</strong> <strong>Denmark</strong> <strong>Region</strong> is actively working todevelop existing and new positions of strength.ICT constitutes a position of strength which isconstantly developing, and in particular the ICTresearch at the Alexandra Institute in Aarhus’ ITcity has attracted many companies.Within foodstuffs, the Danish Institute ofAgricultural Sciences’ Research Centre Foulumis the centre of livestock and plant research in<strong>Denmark</strong> and collaborates closely with manycompanies.Within health, an extension of Aarhus UniversityHospital to become the largest hospital inScandinavia with associated health technologyindustries and the construction of a newhospital in Gødstrup in the western part of<strong>Central</strong> <strong>Denmark</strong> <strong>Region</strong>, will become importantdriving forces behind the development of thehealth system in the region and in <strong>Denmark</strong> asa whole.Within energy, <strong>Central</strong> <strong>Denmark</strong> <strong>Region</strong> enjoysa particularly strong position, with some of theworld’s largest wind turbine manufacturers.Interested in connecting with <strong>Central</strong> <strong>Denmark</strong><strong>Region</strong>?Try us:Niels Erik K. Andersen, head of InternationalOffice, phone: +45 7841 1120niels-erik.andersen@ru.rm.dk
Foreword”It’s not a bad thing to take a look at our region through the eyes ofothers. We have much to offer in terms of skilled employees andinternationally recognised knowledge environments. ”Welcome to our region!Aglobally competitive international growth region. That is the vision for <strong>Central</strong> <strong>Denmark</strong><strong>Region</strong>. Our work with internationalisation not only involves cooperation withinternational partners and strengthening the position of companies in <strong>Central</strong> <strong>Denmark</strong>in global markets, but also attracting foreign students, employees and businessesto the region.Studies show, for example, that foreign employees play an important role in the export opportunitiesfor companies, and that, even if foreign students return home after graduation, theyare good ambassadors for <strong>Denmark</strong> and <strong>Central</strong> <strong>Denmark</strong> <strong>Region</strong> around the world.So it is important that our region is known around the world as the place to move to, whetherwe are talking about investors, entrepreneurs, researchers, students or employees.And how do they perceive <strong>Central</strong> <strong>Denmark</strong> <strong>Region</strong>? That is what this issue of Dialogue isabout.Meet a number of foreigners who, for one reason or another, have chosen <strong>Central</strong> <strong>Denmark</strong><strong>Region</strong>, and who have experienced life here.You can also read about how the investment promotion association Foreningen VestdanskInvesteringsfremme helps to ensure that foreign companies are made aware of our part of thecountry and choose to become established here. Over the past three years, this has meant thatmore than 1,200 jobs have been created or maintained in western <strong>Denmark</strong>.And you can meet a representative of the <strong>OECD</strong> who has recently analysed our growth environmentand opportunities, and given us “thumbs up”. However, the <strong>OECD</strong> also has a numberof recommendations on how we in the region can become even better at working internationally,and become even more attractive on the global market.It’s not a bad thing to take a look at our region through the eyes of others. We have much to offerin terms of skilled employees and internationally recognised knowledge environments.Welcome to our region!BENT HANSENDIALOGUE theme: The <strong>Region</strong> through outsiders’ eyes 3