In view of the high energy prices, many companies in Germany are worried about their competitiveness. The number of those who want to relocate production abroad or have already done so is increasing significantly.
According to a survey, more and more industrial companies are planning to leave Germany because of the increased energy prices and other problems. As reported by the German Chamber of Industry and Commerce, almost a third of industrial companies are planning or realizing a transfer of capacities abroad or the restriction of production at home. Compared to a survey in the previous year, this is a doubling.
According to the survey, the tendency to leave is most pronounced in companies with 500 or more employees. According to this, 43 percent of the companies surveyed are planning or in the process of relocating capacities abroad. These companies are often closely intertwined with other countries and face particularly strong locational competition. Almost two thirds of the measures are already running or have been completed.
The concerns of the companies about their own competitiveness have increased dramatically, said the deputy director of the DIHK, Achim Dercks. Business confidence in energy policy is at a low point. Large parts of the economy are concerned about an inadequate energy supply in the medium and long term. Companies relocated production to the USA, for example – the government there has approved a multi-billion dollar subsidy program. However, Dercks also mentioned a relocation of production or the creation of new capacities in France, for example, where industrial electricity prices are lower.
The results of the survey came shortly before a two-day cabinet meeting in Meseberg. The federal government wants to decide on a growth package there. However, a dispute about a state-subsidized, lower industrial electricity price is unresolved.
From the DIHK point of view, an industrial electricity price falls short because it only benefits particularly energy-intensive companies. A relief for the breadth of the economy is necessary. It needs clear signals from the federal government. The DIHK proposes various countermeasures. This essentially includes an investment subsidy for direct electricity supply contracts between producers and consumers.
Source: Stern
