Overview

• A survey by the Institute of the German Economy reveals one in four companies have ceased domestic investments, with a third planning no future investments.
• Uncertainty over which technologies will receive political support has deterred companies from committing to costly upgrades or replacements of machinery.
• Three out of five businesses report struggling with excessive bureaucracy and are calling for expedited approval processes and regulatory relief.
• Half of surveyed companies demand competitive energy and electricity costs, as current rates are seen as a disadvantage in the global market.
• Industry leaders warn of a 'dangerous downward spiral' in growth and investment unless policymakers act decisively to provide long-term planning security.