FRM GmbH once again hosted the region's traditional reception in Davos this year. Frankfurt Main Finance e.V. as a partner for the financial center, the City of Frankfurt and DZ Bank were also present. Now in its 15th year, the event has a new look: a different, more prominent venue and a high-profile panel discussion with Dr. Joachim Nagel, President of the Deutsche Bundesbank, Stefan Wintels, CEO of KfW Bankengruppe, and the well-known moderator Astrid Frohloff. Mike Josef, Lord Mayor of the City of Frankfurt and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of FRM GmbH, also welcomed more than 100 high-ranking guests from all over the world. The organizers were particularly pleased about the visit of the President of the European Central Bank, Christine Lagarde.
"This year's motto "Rebuilding Trust" focuses on topics such as restoring trust in politics, business and society. We are currently experiencing numerous crises at the same time, for which there are no simple solutions. However, it is also a fact that we all have to find an answer together. And this is only possible on the basis of trust and transparency. If politics, business, organizations and civil society work together, we will overcome the challenges and promote sustainable developments. We can see how this can work in Frankfurt RheinMain: the city and region have been a melting pot of cultures for a long time, and our financial center makes us the most international region in Germany, characterized by tolerance and openness. We must protect this because it is Frankfurt's DNA that makes us successful and attracts so many international companies," says Mike Josef.
For many years, the Frankfurt RheinMain region has been the only German region to be represented with a reception in Davos. In addition to Mike Josef, the Frankfurt RheinMain region was also represented in Davos by Stefanie Wüst, Frankfurt's Head of Economic Affairs, and Frank Nagel, Vice President of the Frankfurt Chamber of Industry and Commerce. All three are also members of the Supervisory Board of FRM GmbH. On behalf of the City of Frankfurt, Dr. Nargess Eskandari-Grünberg, Mayor of the City of Frankfurt am Main, was a repeat guest in Davos. Prof. Dr. Marcus Gwechenberger, Head of Planning and Housing, and Eileen O'Sullivan, Head of Citizens, Digital and International Affairs, took part in the event for the first time.
Dr. Joachim Nagel, President of the Deutsche Bundesbank, and Stefan Wintels, CEO of KfW Bankengruppe, promoted Frankfurt as a German financial centre at the panel: "The German economy is efficient and ready to perform, but also challenged in these uncertain times. I am confident that companies will be able to adapt to the changes. Politicians can make an important contribution by providing clear and reliable framework conditions. And banks also play a key role in the transformation of the economy towards sustainability," says Dr. Joachim Nagel. Stefan Wintels adds: "The sustainable and digital transformation of the economy and society requires massive investment. The financial center Frankfurt plays a decisive role here. We need to set the course now, make decisions and take action so that we can mobilize sufficient private capital by the end of the decade and achieve important milestones on the path to climate neutrality and a competitive business location."
Decision-makers from national and international companies, associations and corporations as well as numerous guests from the world of politics attended the FRM GmbH event in Davos. Among them were Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank, Dr. Jörg Kukies, State Secretary in the Federal Chancellery, Christian Sewing, Chairman of the Executive Board, Deutsche Bank AG, Frank Scheidig, Global Head of Senior Executive Banking DZ BANK AG, Christine Graeff, Global Head of People Credit Suisse, Sapthagiri Chapalapalli, Head of Europe Tata Consultancy Service, Gerhard Wiesheu, CEO B. Metzler seel. Sohn & Co. AG, Xuejun Mao, CEO China Merchants Bank Europe S.A, Prof. Dr. Axel A. Weber, Senior Advisor Boston Consulting Group, Catrin Hinkel, CEO Microsoft Switzerland, Cathinka Wahlström, CCO BNY Melon, Walter Sinn, Managing Partner Bain & Company Germany, Wolfgang Kirsch, Chairman of the Supervisory Board Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA and Franziska Zimmermann, Director Sustainabilty and Climate Change Strategy Temasek International Pte Ltd.
"As Frankfurt Main Finance, we are delighted to support the region's reception in Davos. This is a clear commitment by the financial industry to the city of Frankfurt and the RheinMain region. We are a location with many strengths that shape the future, and we want to carry this message out into the world beyond Davos," says Gerhard Wiesheu, President of Frankfurt Main Finance.
"In competition with regions such as London, Paris and Amsterdam, it is extremely important for us as the Frankfurt RheinMain region to be present at events with international appeal such as the WEF. This year, we were once again able to welcome numerous international guests and hold exciting discussions. We were also able to dispel prejudices at one point or another. For example, many of the people we spoke to were not necessarily aware that Frankfurt RheinMain is not only an important business location, but also a region with outstanding expertise in the fields of pharmaceuticals and life sciences, ICT and automobility. At "Frankfurt RheinMain. The Reception." was attended by representatives of companies that have already invested in Frankfurt RheinMain - as well as those that we would like to convince to invest and those that will spread our stories as multipliers," says Eric Menges, President & CEO of FRM GmbH.
