Brandenburg's Minister of Economic Affairs, Martina Klement (CSU), and Berlin's Senator for Economic Affairs, Franziska Giffey (SPD), both want to use new technologies to boost economic growth in their respective states. (File photo)
© dpa
Berlin and Brandenburg aim to become European leaders in future-oriented fields such as AI, mobility and defense.
The Berlin Senate and the Brandenburg state government adopted the 2035 Innovation Strategy for the Berlin-Brandenburg Capital Region.
Specifically, the goal is to strengthen existing companies, promote their expansion, and attract new businesses and thereby also secure funding from the federal government and the EU. "If we combine our strengths effectively and coordinate well, then we can both benefit from it," said Brandenburg’s Minister of Economic Affairs, Martina Klement (CSU). "Berlin may have more patent applications, certainly more startups and perhaps greater international appeal." However, Brandenburg can help Berlin when it comes to "getting into production."
Berlin's Senator for Economic Affairs, Franziska Giffey (SPD), said, "We are stronger when we act as a region." She emphasized the need to be future-ready in the areas of digitalization, climate protection and the security and defense industries, especially in light of an aging society. Giffey views Berlin-Brandenburg as competing with the metropolitan regions of London and Paris. In terms of per capita economic output (GDP), Berlin was exactly 127 percent above the EU average in 2024, Brandenburg was at 86 percent, and the Greater Paris area (Île-de-France) was at 160 percent. In Hamburg, the purchasing power-adjusted per capita gross domestic product was around 96 percent above the EU average in 2024.
The new strategy identifies five key areas for the future in which Berlin and Brandenburg aim to strengthen their position: mobility, digital technologies, health, energy and sustainable production. The two states' joint efforts to promote innovation date back to 2011. But much has changed technologically since then. Digital progress requires data centers, which in turn require land and renewable energy, Giffey said. Brandenburg could help in this regard. Berlin also has hundreds of companies specializing in robotics, optics and drone technology. Klement pointed out the possibility of conducting drone tests. The SPD politician dismissed concerns, stating that the capital region would "under no circumstances" become a site for arms production.