Debate less, do more – this is the appeal that German companies are sending to the government. The economic outlook is poor. Nerves are particularly strained when it comes to bureaucracy.
German companies are looking bleakly into the future – and are finally expecting “full throttle” from politicians. This is the result of a current economic survey by the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK).
There are currently no signs of a real, self-sustaining economic upswing, said Managing Director Martin Wansleben on Thursday in Berlin. “This is a clear mandate for the government to act quickly.” The economy can no longer afford to hesitate and debate.
According to the DIHK survey, more than one in three companies expect worse business in the next twelve months. The reasons: geopolitical risks, labor shortages, technological disruptions, climate change and energy policy. It is to be hoped that at least the trough will be reached next year and that things will then go up again, said Wansleben. According to the DIHK, the survey is based on feedback from 24,000 companies from almost all industries and regions.
Reluctance to invest and employ
“We don’t have the courage to say that the upswing is imminent,” explained Wansleben. The chamber is particularly concerned that many companies have revised their investment plans and employment plans downwards. Until now, due to the shortage of skilled workers, they had hired even when things weren’t going well. That seems to be changing now.
A particularly strong signal of the poor situation is sent by industry, which is no longer the mainstay of the economy. Investment intentions here have deteriorated significantly since the spring.
Economic policy as a business risk
Among other things, the companies are critical of the federal government’s economic and location policy. More than half see the economic policy framework as a business risk. “It is particularly alarming that we have also measured this value in industry for the first time,” emphasized Wansleben.
Quick political action is therefore required: “Things won’t get better on their own. We don’t have the economy at the moment where we can say that if things go down again, they will automatically go up again.”
Biggest frustration with too much bureaucracy
According to Wansleben, behind the bad grades for politics there is a lot of frustration with bureaucracy – and that improvement has been announced politically, but nothing is happening. Instead, companies would even face new reporting obligations.
Why are companies now complaining about the bureaucracy that has existed for years? Because they are under economic pressure and need the opportunity to act quickly, says Wansleben. “This increases the sensitivity.”
The main thing is to act quickly
Debate less, do more, that is the appeal of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry to the Federal Government. Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) presented a carefully formulated industrial strategy. But what the government wants to do concretely and directly now is missing. “We are in need of action,” warned Wansleben.
Specifically, he called for relief in energy prices through a reduction in electricity taxes and network fees. In addition, all of the companies’ reporting obligations would have to be examined. New suppliers and customers would have to be developed through further and better international trade agreements. The economy also needs expanded depreciation options quickly. “Anyone who invests now needs cash back as quickly as possible,” emphasized Wansleben. A general tax reform is also necessary, but it takes far too long.
Source: Stern
