The innovative world of private enterprise

The diversity of enterprise structure and the sheer number of innovative companies make the region an attractive prospect for the location of new enterprises.

Many of the companies located here are operating on a global scale. Active efforts are being made to develop and broaden the scope of business activities, and close collaboration with research institutions and the public sector is encouraged, which, among other things, helps to ensure a good operating environment.

The region has about 29 000 places of business, with a third of the jobs in manufacturing or construction industries. The majority of the manufacturing industries are geared either directly or indirectly to exports. The number of workplaces is about 214 000 (year 2006).

The region has a number of high-quality market leaders in the field of machinery and automation, firms whose success is grounded in technological superiority and the ability to move with the times.

The main branches of industry are wood processing, metalworking, mechanical engineering and automation, while other growth sectors of importance for employment include information technology and health technology. The traditional, staple industries in the region are textiles, leather goods, rubber products and chemicals.