Business Development Practice

Kolding has a long standing tradition for being very active in the area of business promotion. The aim is to create jobs for all citizens and thus to increase the tax income of the city. This is not an easy task and not always easy to obtain. In years of depression or low business activity all good ideas and good will are needed.

In order to draw on the expertise from all sides of the local community a joint operation has been formed with the local business people and the Industrial Development Council of Kolding was created. The council consists of members from both the city council and the local trade and industry. Both sides contribute financially to the organization, but the city pays most of costs.

A strategic plan and an annual action plan is created. The plans change considerably over the years reflecting the current economic business conditions. Standard actions each year are attraction of new businesses, advice and help to entrepreneurs, who want to start their own business, and creation of networks between local companies in order to exchange ideas and give advise to each other. The council also works as a link between the local business community and the city council. All work done by the representatives from the local trade and industry is free of charge.

In order to improve the business conditions the Industrial Development Council advise the city council. As an example the Council has recently recommended the establishment of a science park within the food processing equipment field. At the moment both Councils are working on a plan of the park.