Berlin (d.de) – Germany’s Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz has appointed Martin Blessing, former CEO of the Commerzbank, as foreign investment commissioner. Merz said that the investment commissioner would “open doors, build confidence in our location and attract investment to Germany”. Blessing’s remit would also include “making concrete suggestions for dismantling bureaucracy, accelerating the pace and creating a better and more reliable environment for investment”. Merz added that Blessing brought with him a wealth of experience as well as an international network.
Blessing stressed that he planned to work closely with all relevant ministries: “The goal for us all must be more growth, more jobs, more economic dynamism.”
Blessing is to serve as a central point of contact for foreign investors and internationally represent Germany as an investment destination. To this end, he will also take over as supervisory board chairman of Germany Trade and Invest (GTAI), the German government’s agency for foreign trade and marketing.
Martin Blessing was the chief executive officer of Commerzbank from 2008 to 2016. He has been chairman of the Board of Directors at Denmark’s Danske Bank since 2022.
