Policy should establish foundational guidelines instead of focusing on specific industrial strategies, according to DIHK chief.
In an interview with Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland, Peter Adrian, President of the German Chambers of Industry and Commerce (DIHK), has expressed his support for a pragmatic and coordinated approach to economic policy, particularly investments.
Adrian is against politically steered investments and has expressed doubts about the effectiveness of state-directed industrial policy. He warns against investing in regions with high subsidies without a guarantee of success. Instead, he emphasizes that the state's main job is to provide public infrastructure.
Adrian's stance is not against industrial policy altogether. He suggests that consideration for subsidy programs for companies should come after sufficient funds are available for public infrastructure. He acknowledges that state-directed industrial policy can work, but it is not guaranteed.
As an example of investments that he believes may not have been successful, Adrian cites the Intel settlement in Magdeburg. He cautions against artificially directing economic developments and urges investment decisions to be made in the economy.
Adrian advocates for a focus on creating economic framework conditions. He suggests that the business sector is willing to cooperate with the government in areas crucial for national security and economic strength. This includes identifying reservists within companies and supporting the government's efforts to increase Germany’s defense capabilities.
Adrian also emphasizes the critical role of public infrastructure in modernizing both economic capabilities and defense preparedness. He sees infrastructure investment as instrumental for both economic development and national defense preparedness.
In summary, Adrian advocates for collaboration between business and government to enhance defense readiness through industrial and workforce coordination. He recognizes public infrastructure investment as critical for modernizing both economic capabilities and defense preparedness. His stance indicates support for targeted industrial policies that incorporate strategic and security dimensions.
[References: Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland]
The President of the German Chambers of Industry and Commerce (DIHK), Peter Adrian, supports a coordinated approach to economic policy, particularly investments, but expresses concerns about politically steered investments and doubts about the effectiveness of state-directed industrial policy. Instead, he believes that the state's main job is to provide public infrastructure, such as modernizing both economic capabilities and defense preparedness. Furthermore, Adrian advocates for a focus on creating economic framework conditions that would encourage investment decisions in the economy.
