Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on September 22, 2025
1 min readLast updated: January 21, 2026
Add as preferred source on GoogleChancellor Merz appoints Martin Blessing to attract foreign investment, aiming to revive Germany's economy amid global challenges.
By Maria Martinez and Andreas Rinke
BERLIN (Reuters) -German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has appointed veteran German banker Martin Blessing as the government's commissioner for foreign investment, stepping up efforts to attract international capital.
In a statement, Merz said that Blessing, who was CEO of Commerzbank from 2008 to 2016, had an outstanding network of international contacts.
He "brings a wealth of experience in promoting investment in Germany," the chancellor said.
Reviving growth in Europe's largest economy is Metz's top priority after two years of economic contraction. The government says Germany needs to attract more private capital to complement a planned surge in public spending, making it crucial to improve Germany's appeal as an investment location.
The number of foreign investment projects in Germany fell for the third year in a row in 2024.
Amid heightened global uncertainty and rising U.S. protectionism, Berlin is seeking to position Germany as a safe, predictable destination for investors.
(Reporting by Maria Martinez and Andreas RinkeEditing by Ludwig Burger)
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has appointed Martin Blessing as the government's commissioner for foreign investment.
Martin Blessing is a veteran German banker who served as the CEO of Commerzbank from 2008 to 2016.
The number of foreign investment projects in Germany has fallen for the third consecutive year in 2024.
Reviving growth in Europe's largest economy is Chancellor Merz's top priority after two years of economic contraction.
The government believes that attracting more private capital is essential to complement a planned surge in investment.
Explore more articles in the Headlines category
