Companies within Offenbach's city and county maintain a negative outlook
The German economy faces a series of challenges, according to a recent survey of companies and the CEO of the IHK Offenbach, Markus Weinbrenner. Uncertain economic policy framework conditions are seen as the greatest threat to companies' development, with 66% of surveyed companies expressing concern.
Weinbrenner has expressed his worries about the confidence in current policy and the strength of the German economic location. He questions whether the policy can make Germany an attractive economic location again and fears the possibility of Germany drifting into economic mediocrity.
To address these concerns, Weinbrenner has called for clear reforms and determined measures. He urges a clear signal from policy that a positive turnaround is possible. The IHK Offenbach emphasizes the urgency of the challenges facing Germany's economy and calls for the new federal government to restore Germany's economic strength, with "Economy first!" as a central concern.
The IHK Offenbach's specific demands on the new government are not detailed in the provided text. However, based on common economic priorities typically emphasized by Chambers of Industry and Commerce (IHK) in Germany, demands often focus on strengthening digital infrastructure and industry digitization, supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with regulatory relief and innovation incentives, ensuring skilled labor availability and vocational training, promoting sustainable economic policies and energy security, and enhancing regional investment and transport infrastructure.
Additional measures requested by the surveyed companies include reducing the tax burden for companies to ensure a competitive overall tax burden in international comparison, promoting innovative technologies for environmental and climate protection and an efficient circular economy, and administrative simplification, including accelerated planning and approval processes.
Other concerns include high labor costs, with 52.7% of the surveyed companies identifying this as a risk factor. A flexible labor market is also requested, with the goal of making additional skilled labor potential available. Infrastructure modernization, both analog and digital, is another requested measure for the new government. Rising energy and raw material prices are a concern for 55.2% of the surveyed companies.
The economic climate index in Offenbach am Main in 2025 stands at 89.1 points, below the growth threshold of 100 points. Weak domestic demand is a risk factor for 61.2% of the surveyed companies.
For precise and up-to-date details on the IHK Offenbach's specific demands for the new German government in 2025, consulting the official IHK Offenbach website or recent press releases would be necessary.
- The IHK Offenbach, alongside surveyed companies, has expressed concerns about rising labor costs, calling for a more flexible labor market to make additional skilled labor potential available.
- In addition to reducing the tax burden for companies, the IHK Offenbach and surveyed companies have requested administrative simplification, such as accelerated planning and approval processes, in the finance and business sectors.
