Traffic light receives “poor” grade
DIHK survey dismisses economic policy
December 30, 2023, 4:10 a.m
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Every three years, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry surveys German companies about economic policy. This time the verdict is worse than ever. “Structural and often home-made problems” are criticized.
The German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK) only gave the current federal government a “poor” grade for its economic policy. Never before have the framework conditions for industrial production in the country been viewed more critically by the companies affected. “Structural and often home-made problems are placing greater strain on our industrial location than ever before. Increasing bureaucratic requirements, high energy costs and lengthy planning and approval procedures are shaping operational practice,” said DIHK General Manager Martin Wansleben to “Welt am Sonntag”.
These factors would all be rated as “poor”. This emerges from a DIHK location survey in which more than 2,200 company representatives from different industries took part. The survey has been conducted every three years since 2008. The average value of 4.8 in 2023 is once again one step worse than in 2020. At that time, companies considered the economic policy to be at least “sufficient” (3.9) with regard to the competitiveness of the industrial location, and three years before that it was even “sufficient”. satisfactory” (2.9).
The entrepreneurs rated almost all 24 location factors surveyed worse than three years previously. The average slipped to 4.0, which is even worse than in 2020 with 3.6 and in 2017 with 3.3. As a result, necessary investments would either be omitted or made abroad. “Our country cannot afford that if we are serious about the future of industry in Germany and its transformation towards digitalization and decarbonization,” said Wansleben.
“Politicians still have the power to strengthen companies’ trust in Germany as a business location,” continued Wansleben. Specifically, the “Pact for Acceleration” should be quickly implemented in technical legislation. A significantly expanded bureaucracy relief law and the still outstanding growth opportunities law must now come quickly.