Sanctions have led the Germans to record investments in Russia

EU sanctions and trade caused them difficulty forced German companies to invest and develop their business in Russia, according to Die Welt. Direct investments of German companies have already reached a record level, and in the future this trend will continue, stresses edition of Die Welt.

German firms again make major investments in Russia, writes Die Welt journalist Carsten Dirichlet. Due to the fact that the export is not possible in many areas because of the sanctions, German companies are building factories in Russia, to keep your business. If still in 2014. German investors have turned away from Russia and brought their capital, but now "the pendulum has swung in the opposite direction." In 2015, direct investment of German companies in Russia amounted to 1.78 billion euros - a figure that is second only to the period 2006-2008 and 2010. In 2016, a new record was set: according to the Bundesbank, in the first quarter of this year, direct investment from Germany to Russia amounted to 1.1 billion euros.

For example, agricultural machinery manufacturer Claas has invested about 120 million euros in a new plant in Krasnodar. The largest milk production DMK Germany is preparing to absorb Russian competitor, and pharmaceutical company Bionorica intends to build a 30 million euro plant in Voronezh. The low exchange rate makes investment relatively favorable, explains Dirichlet. In addition, the Russian government provides special privileges: those who invest at least 750 million rubles and is committed to doing business the special investment agreement is 10 years in Russia. The agreement gives the companies the opportunity to participate in public tenders, to receive tax breaks and acquire the status of "domestic producers".

The first German company to sign such an agreement, became a manufacturer of harvesting equipment Claas. In turn, the state reimburses farmers who buy the Claas combine harvesters, a quarter of their value. Other companies also intend to enter into a special investment agreement with Russia. "Many are related to the gas pipeline", - said the representative of the Russian-German Chamber of Commerce Jens Bellman.