Leading representatives of the Conference of Economic Ministers and the Alliance for the Future of Industry today launched a dialogue on the challenges and opportunities facing industry in Germany. They agreed on closer cooperation between the federal and state governments with the goal of strengthening the competitiveness of industrial companies and ensuring Germany’s future as an industrial hub.
Federal Minister of Economics Peter Altmaier: “Industrial companies must navigate both the current crisis and the profound transformation toward greater digitalization and climate protection. This requires a surge in innovation, but it also offers great opportunities. Industry can play a key role in overcoming the challenges of our time: If Germany succeeds in successfully combining climate protection with industrial competitiveness, we can become a global role model. We must shape this transformation together. Through dialogue between the “Future of Industry” Alliance and the Conference of State Ministers of Economic Affairs, we will expand cooperation between the federal government and the states. The goal is to maintain and expand the competitiveness of German industry and jobs in Germany.”
Prof. Dr. Andreas Pinkwart, Chair of the Conference of Economic Ministers and Minister of Economic Affairs for North Rhine-Westphalia: “I am very much looking forward to the dialogue with the ‘Future of Industry’ Alliance. The Conference of Economic Ministers has identified the “climate-neutral transformation of the economy, with a special focus on energy” as its key priority for 2022. This is likely to result in numerous overlaps with the Alliance’s topics, which can make the dialogue particularly fruitful for all involved.”
Hubert Aiwanger, Vice Chair of the Conference of Economic Ministers and Bavarian Minister of Economic Affairs: “One thing is certain: We must not ignore the European and global levels; above all, carbon leakage must be effectively prevented. At the same time, we finally need a reform of the tax and levy system on energy and electricity. After all, Germany is one of the countries in Europe with the highest energy prices. Our task, therefore, is to promote investment in climate protection. We can only achieve climate neutrality with industry as a provider of solutions. However, companies need long-term planning certainty and a level playing field.”
Prof. Dr. Siegfried Russwurm, President of the Federation of German Industries: “Industry has proven to be an anchor of stability during the COVID-19 crisis. We at the federal and state levels must now work together to further develop smart products and services in industry. Only through innovation will the transition to climate neutrality succeed and digital competitiveness be secured. Climate protection solutions must become export hits. To this end, policymakers must make the immense investments required in climate-friendly processes and digital technologies economically attractive, as proposed by the alliance.”
Jörg Hofmann, President of IG Metall: “To shape structural change in a way that is economically and environmentally successful and fair, continuous and structured dialogue among the various stakeholders in industrial policy is important today and will become increasingly crucial in the future. From the European to the national to the regional level, industrial strategies must be linked horizontally and vertically. The dialogue agreed upon today between the ‘Future of Industry’ Alliance and the Conference of State Ministers of Economic Affairs is an important contribution to a fair transition.”
The participants agreed that industry plays a central role in the digital and ecological transformation of the economy. The exchange is intended to help more closely align the respective approaches to promoting industrial value creation and employment at the federal and state levels. Today’s kick-off meeting took place via videoconference.
The Conference of State Ministers of Economic Affairs (WMK) is one of several specialized ministerial conferences in Germany. It is an important instrument for economic policy cooperation among the states. In addition to the mutual exchange of information and experience, it serves the purpose of formalizing joint political action in their respective areas or vis-à-vis the federal government through resolutions. The conference is attended by the economic ministers of all federal states, as well as the Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy as a guest. North Rhine-Westphalia holds the chairmanship of the Conference of Economic Ministers for 2021 and 2022.
Since March 2015, 16 partners from labor unions, business and employer associations, the Association of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce, and the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy have been collaborating within the “Future of Industry” Alliance. The Alliance serves as a key forum for dialogue on industrial policy issues. In a joint declaration adopted in November 2020, the alliance partners outlined their positions on key challenges and future issues facing the industry. The common goal is to maintain and expand growth, prosperity, and jobs in Germany.
To the BMWi press release
Further information and press photos by Jörg Hofmann
