BWIHK-President Erbe: "Chancellor Scholz Doesn't Focus on Business"

A Critical View from the Perspective of the President of the Berlin Chamber of Commerce

The President of the Berlin Chamber of Commerce, Jan Eder, has sharply criticized the current economic policy of the federal government. He called for a fundamental change in course and a stronger focus on the interests of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). In an interview with the "Berliner Zeitung" (online edition of March 15, 2023), Eder accused the government of neglecting the needs of the business community.

"Chancellor Scholz Hasn't Got the Economy in Focus"

"Chancellor Scholz unfortunately doesn't have the economy in focus," Eder said. He criticized the government's failure to address the pressing issues of energy costs and skilled labor shortages. "The government seems to be more concerned with its own ideological projects than with the concerns of businesses," Eder said. The President of the Berlin Chamber of Commerce called for a greater commitment to the social market economy and a reduction in bureaucracy.

"The Government Ignores the Needs of SMEs"

Eder also criticized the government's focus on large corporations at the expense of SMEs. "The government doesn't seem to understand that SMEs are the backbone of the German economy," he said. He called for more support for small and medium-sized enterprises, particularly in the areas of funding, innovation, and internationalization.

A Call for a Change in Course

Eder concluded the interview by calling for a fundamental change in course in economic policy. "The government must finally focus on the needs of the economy and the interests of SMEs," he said. He proposed a series of measures, including tax cuts, deregulation, and a strengthening of vocational training. "It's time for the government to wake up and finally take action," Eder said.