Ansan Science Valley Attracts German Investment Amidst Growing Global Business Ties

Ansan City, South Korea, is actively courting global investment in its Ansan Science Valley (ASV) district, a key component of the Gyeonggi Free Economic Zone. Recent engagement with a German economic delegation signals a strengthening of international business collaborations, particularly in the high-tech manufacturing sector.

German Delegation Visits Ansan Science Valley

On March 17, 2026, officials from the German Embassy in Korea and a delegation of German industry representatives visited AeiROBOT, a robotics company located on the ERICA campus of Hanyang University within the ASV district. This visit included an investment briefing focused on the opportunities available within Ansan Science Valley. The visit was a precursor to the ’19th German Economic Asia-Pacific Conference’ organized by the German economic community.

Focus on Robotics and Advanced Manufacturing

A delegation of 22 German companies specializing in metal, machinery, and high-tech manufacturing confirmed the investment environment within ASV. This followed a previous visit in February by the German ambassador to Korea and representatives from companies like Siemens and Rotmetal, bringing the total number of German economic representatives to 33. The interest stems from Ansan City’s proactive global investment attraction efforts.

Investment Incentives and Innovation Ecosystem

During the investment briefing, Ansan City highlighted the benefits of the free economic zone, including tax benefits, regulatory relief, and streamlined administrative support. The city emphasized its “corporate-centered business administration” approach, offering assistance from initial company discovery through location provision and ongoing support. A key component of the ASV’s appeal is its innovation ecosystem, comprised of Hanyang University’s ERICA Campus, Gyeonggi Techno Park, and various national research institutes.

AeiROBOT Showcases Technological Capabilities

The German delegation toured the research, development, and production facilities of AeiROBOT, a company founded by a robotics engineering professor at Hanyang University’s ERICA campus. AeiROBOT is recognized as a leading technology company within Ansan Science Valley, integrating university research with industrial infrastructure. The company highlighted Ansan’s favorable environment for robot companies, citing the concentration of approximately 20,000 manufacturing companies in the nearby Banwol and Sihwa National Industrial Complexes as a key source of demand for automation technologies.

City Officials Emphasize Growth Potential

Ansan Mayor Lee Min-geun stated that Ansan Science Valley provides an optimal environment for global companies to pursue both research and development and high-tech manufacturing. He specifically noted the area’s suitability for high-value-added industries such as advanced robots, smart manufacturing, and semiconductor equipment, particularly around the Banwol and Sihwa National Industrial Complexes. Mayor Lee affirmed the city’s commitment to expanding industrial cooperation with global companies, including those from Germany.

Future Expansion and Global Partnerships

Ansan City plans to continue fostering collaborations with overseas government agencies, global companies, and investment organizations to establish Ansan Science Valley as a global high-tech industrial hub in the southwestern metropolitan area.