The business association DIE JUNGEN UNTERNEHMER (The Young Entrepreneurs) has elected Uwe Mortag as the new chairman of the North Rhine-Westphalia regional group. The 36-year-old is managing partner of Larbig & Mortag Immobilien GmbH, based in Cologne, which he founded in 2008 together with his business partner Markus Larbig.
Uwe Mortag: Rural areas in particular are dependent on fast internet connections
As regional chairman, Uwe Mortag intends to focus in particular on the expansion of digital infrastructure. "Fast internet is still in short supply, especially in rural areas of North Rhine-Westphalia. These regions are dependent on rapid broadband expansion. With the right network connectivity, digitalization offers enormous opportunities for rural areas to make themselves attractive to young companies and their employees. But if we continue to wait, politicians will squander the competitiveness of these regions."
In addition, Uwe Mortag wants to work with his regional group to improve the climate for start-ups. "Before you can set up your own business in Germany, you have to overcome countless bureaucratic hurdles. There are far too many regulations and reporting requirements that make it difficult to take the step into self-employment," says Mortag. "In order to remain an economically strong region, North Rhine-Westphalia needs creative minds who can realize their ideas and start their own businesses."
