+49 (0) 421 9600-10
16 February 2017 - Merle Burghart

World Trade Center Bremen: everything under one roof

Investing in Bremen

For those relocating a company or setting up international operations

Geographical distance and cultural differences make it hard to relocate or start up a company in another country. Luckily, help is at hand from the team at the World Trade Center (WTC) in Bremen. They'll do all they can to make your international business a success.

Bremen's World Trade Center is one of around 300 licensed members of the World Trade Centers Association (WTCA) and plays an important role in attracting inward investment to Germany. It provides comprehensive support to those looking to relocate to Germany or set up new operations in the country. The building is also home to a dedicated start-up centre. Here, people who are just starting out in business can access a wide range of support to help bring their ideas to fruition.

It all starts with four walls

Bremen's World Trade Center offers furnished office units ranging from 20 to 30m² in size. Electricity, internet and telephone connections are provided. Tenants can also make use of meeting and seminar rooms. "These small office units are particularly popular with international entrepreneurs. They are often occupied by a single individual establishing new operations in Bremen and only expand after some period of time," explains Elisabeth Breidbach, project manager for WTC Bremen. A prime example is David Zhou, who three years ago set up the company Barite International GmbH at the World Trade Center in Bremen in order to expand his business.

Currently, 16 international firms are using the services provided by the World Trade Center. Most of the contacts are made via Bremeninvest, which has offices in the USA, China and Turkey, its key international markets. People don't have to go through Bremeninvest, of course. They can also get in touch with the WTC at trade fairs or by making a direct enquiry. And it doesn't matter where the companies originate from. "We look forward to welcoming even more nationalities in future," says Elisabeth Breidbach.

From residency permit to housing search

Securing an office is only one part of the process. There are also certain formalities to be dealt with, including obtaining authorisations and filling out applications. The team at WTC Bremen helps its customers with everything from residency permits to finding a place to live. "We put our customers in touch with real estate agents who we know well." And we can also help to overcome the language barrier: "We are a 100 per cent bilingual operation. We can provide contracts, forms and all other documents in both German and English," explains Breidbach. 

We are a 100 per cent bilingual operation.

                Elisabeth Breidbach, Project manager for tenant support at WTC Bremen

There for you when you can't be there

There are so many things to think about when you are setting up operations in a foreign country, and so much to do. It's important to always be contactable in the new location, but that's not always easy when you're on your own. People in this difficult situation can take advantage of our virtual office service and on-site management team. A centralised reception and telephone answering service allows you to maintain contact with future business partners and new customers, even when you are not physically present.

In it together

At the World Trade Center you benefit from being part of a large international network. Having so many businesses from home and abroad in such close proximity creates a powerful clustering effect. People from abroad setting up new operations in Germany are often right next door to emerging domestic start-ups, establishing the ideal conditions for creative networking.

The perfect location

Bremen's World Trade Center is located right by the airport, which offers a wide choice of direct flights to many European cities. Bremen is a compact city, so you'll also be close to the autobahn and the city centre. The proximity to the university, research institutes and innovative companies makes it that much easier to set up a business in Bremen and to build up the contacts and networks that you'll need.


Your contact for business services and sales at the World Trade Center is Elisabeth Breidbach, +49 (0)421 9600 241, elisabeth.breidbach@wfb-bremen.de

Click here for more information about World Trade Center Bremen

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