Germany’s economy is doing well. Really? Minister Altmaier has his doubts. He sees failures and wants to intervene to control the system. In any case where it “goes around the sausage”. From Berlin, Sabine Kinkartz.
For almost ten years, the German economic barometer knows only one direction: upward. The order books are full, the stores run well. In many places, is to listen to, you could even produce still more, if more skilled workers were available. Responsible for the booming economy especially the industry. It accounts for 23 percent of the German value-added. No other country in the EU has such a large industry share.
Federal Minister for economic Affairs, Peter Altmaier, the a blessing and a curse at the same time. A blessing, because the German machinery and plant engineering, the automotive-, chemical-, steel -, copper – and aluminium industry, the GreenTech sector and many industries, more and more, the German economic model to wear them for decades. A curse, because the country is in a dangerous addiction. Because the competition from the USA and China especially in relation to the digitisation and the development of AI, artificial intelligence, getting bigger and bigger.
Concern before the crash
Currently the world is experiencing a “rapid acceleration” of innovations, Altmaier. Previous production processes, and whole industries were to be replaced by new technologies. KI is the biggest Innovation since the invention of the steam engine. “Who’s in control of these technologies that has a Chance to be on the front line. Who slept through it, one day will be the extended workbench of others.”
Robots are to colleagues
Apparently, the Minister is afraid that exactly this could happen in Germany. “There are innovations that we have not taken seriously and since the state has the right and the duty to help support and flanking.” What that might look like, Peter Altmaier, summarized in a “National industrial strategy for 2030”. On 21 sides, he signed the “guidelines for German and European industrial policy”. He explains what challenges Germany is, how he sees the situation and where he wants to go.
Promote innovation
“The aim is, together with the actors of the economy to contribute to the protection and recovery of economic and technological competence, competitiveness and industry leadership on a national, European and global level in all relevant areas,” says Altmaier. Companies are to be relieved, for example, in the case of social security contributions and energy prices. In addition, the state needs to encourage innovation and the establishment of key technologies in Germany and Europe.
In the longer term, the share of industry in value-added in Germany should be expanded, step to 25% and in the EU to 20 per cent. This goal should, in principle, “the market reached economically, the private sector and self-responsible,” emphasizes Altmaier. “Government Action can come only by way of exception, only temporarily and only in cases of fundamental importance, in consideration, if all other options have proved to be insufficient.” But that’s exactly what, according to Altmaier the case.
Germany has the lead often playful
Whether consumer electronics, telecommunications, Computer or electronics or production of carbon fiber materials: Germany had often a technological lead, but in the end, could not use. “In the field of Artificial intelligence, we are in the research is still in a good Position. In the case of the commercialization of practical applications pent-up demand is, however, already”, criticized Altmaier. The distance of the leading Internet companies seem to grow rather than to shrink. No German company is investing so much in this area as each individual of a large American company.
Key industry: automotive production, here at Porsche plant in Leipzig
“Size matters,” stressed the Minister. Who was not large enough to implement significant projects and to compete in international competition against large rivals, be excluded from a significant and growing part of the world market virtually. Altmaier wants to take, therefore, the domestic industry giants such as Siemens, Thyssenkrupp, the car manufacturer or the Deutsche Bank, especially in the focus and strengths.
The state as an entrepreneur?
The future of the “Great” back up, would have to be mergers and Acquisitions easier. If it were companies with key technologies, should access be encouraged by European competitors. A side-swipe at the EU Commission is currently consulting on the proposed merger of Siemens and Alstom, the world’s second-largest train manufacturer and will prohibit. In exceptional cases, Altmaier wants to be able to foreign Takeovers through a partial nationalisation prevent. For this, he proposes a state investment Fund.
The Federal Minister of economic Affairs wants to discuss his industrial strategy in the next few months at national and international level and together with business and the unions continue to develop. It was only a “first charge” that “claim neither completeness nor unqualified endorsement”. He was of what he had written, nevertheless, convinced, Altmaier. “Read, the paper is written with a lot of love.”