November 05, 2005 | Recommend this Article »

Germany, what now?

Requests for the new government

The leading associations of the German building industry call for »priority for building«. They believe that Germany can only expect sufficient and sustainable growth if there is an upturn in this branch of industry. The building industry as »economy locomotive« must pick up steam, according to Heinz Werner Bonjean, Chairman of the Bundesvereinigung Bauwirtschaft. »This is the only way to create the jobs promised by all parties.« However, this needs public investment – and on a larger scale than previously.

Dr.-Ing. Gernot Schaefer, President of the Bundesverband Baustoffe – Steine und Erden, points out that local government investments have dropped by 10 billion euros since the 1990’s. These would have to be restored. The associations also call for measures to combat the causes of illegal employment and work done on the side – and so create more legal jobs. This would result in additional tax revenues and social insurance contributions worth billions.

The coming developments are awaited with interest abroad. Despite the continuing economic weakness and problems, Germany is still the »stone driving force« in Europe – what happens here has repercussions elsewhere.

Christophe de Backer from the Belgium company Brachot-Hermant hopes for an upturn in Germany. »We had to close our branch in Hamburg due to lack of demand, but we will return when things get better in Germany.«
Engin Yildiz, Sales Manager of the Turkish company Dimer, thinks closer German-Turkish co-operation could help. He sees Turkey as a possible attraction for the whole of Europe: »The economy – and the stone industry – are doing well in Turkey. We therefore hope that the new government will push Turkey’s membership of the EU. This will not only benefit Turkey, but also create advantages for Germany and Europe.«

Peter Bubendorfer, Director of the Austrian construction chemical manufacturer Invicon: “The economic situation is not as bad as it is always described.” Bubendorfer believes Germany will gain impetus after the elections: “A number of blockades will be removed.”

Stop being pessimistic!

International editors express their personal views in response to a question on the situation in Germany. »Germany was the most important foreign market for many Spanish companies for many years,« says Anil Teneja (Litos, Spain). It is therefore very much hoped that Germany »recovers from its crisis and resumes its role as Europe’s economic motor«.

The French editor Claude Gargi (Pierre Actual) does not think that political changes will influence the natural stone market in Germany: »We are in Europe, in a globalized economy. The only option is to promote the use of stone in architecture, interior finishing and landscaping. It is not a political problem, but a marketing task.«

Carla Zusi from the Italian Informatore del Marmista thinks – irrespective of the election outcome – that there will be new impetus, but this will only become noticeable in the long term. Germany has already shown in the past that it can overcome economic crises. In her view, »service, quality and a long tradition of handling stone« are the major strengths of the »old Europe«.