The Halle-Leipzig region is in focus. - Firms perceive their situation as deteriorating.
In the regions of Halle and Leipzig, numerous companies are struggling more than they were a year ago. A drop in customer demand, significant cost increases, and complicated economic regulations, as reported by the Leipzig and Halle Chambers of Commerce, are all contributing factors to this predicament.
As specified by Thomas Keindorf, President of the Halle Chamber of Crafts, during a presentation of their spring report for 2024, locals businesses are becoming increasingly disheartened by the dismal demand both in their own country and internationally, along with various structural issues like labor shortages, surging labor expenses, and substantial energy and raw material prices.
Kristian Kirpal, President of the Leipzig Chamber of Industry and Commerce, also voiced his concerns. "Although global trade is otherwise growing, Mitteldeutsche industry is seeing little benefit from it." He also highlighted the perilous situation created by soaring energy prices that may jeopardize the competitiveness of regional products.
To ameliorate matters, the Chambers of Commerce suggest ensuring a dependable and reasonable energy supply; they also emphasized that the future of coal-fired power generation should not be subjected to political uncertainties, as planned for its termination in 2038.
Moving forward, the issue of business succession will be critical for the Chambers of Commerce's viewpoint. As stated by Keindorf, "However, entrepreneurship cannot attain societal recognition needed to make it desirable."
The Chambers of Commerce polled a representative sample of companies in the Leipzig-Halle-Dessau area, amassing approximately 1,800 participants from various industries. The data gathered were calculated and evaluated. This survey encompasses more than 146,000 companies, according to their claims.
