Rarely has the lichtenfels business community been as positive about the current economic situation as it was at the beginning of 2019. At the same time, the prospects for 2019 are assessed quite cautiously in the economic survey of the chamber of industry and commerce for upper franconia bayreuth. "The companies in lichtenfels are currently very well positioned on the markets and can really score points here", wilhelm wasikowski, vice president of the chamber of commerce and industry for upper franconia bayreuth and chairman of the chamber of commerce and industry committee lichtenfels, is pleased to say.
Despite the excellent assessment of the situation, the chamber of industry and commerce's economic climate index falls by five to a still good 120 due to the moderate expectations for the future in the lichtenfels region. More than half of the lichtenfels entrepreneurs surveyed, 53 percent, report a good business situation, and another 44 percent report a satisfactory business situation. Only three percent assess the current situation negatively. "A strong statement: 97 percent of all companies surveyed assessed their economic situation as good or satisfactory", sums up the vice president. "Never before have companies in lichtenfels assessed the current business situation so positively."
Good capacity utilization
growth is being driven primarily by domestic demand. However, business with foreign customers also developed very positively. "Whether at home or abroad, companies are increasingly reporting rising order volumes", explains wasikowski. Against this background, it is not surprising that most companies are reporting good capacity utilization. As satisfied as companies are with the current economic situation, on balance they expect stable development in 2019, but not a further brightening of the economy.
There are many reasons for the subdued expectations. "They range from the risks in various sales markets such as the UK, the US and russia, to the question of how best to address the skills shortage", outlines peter belina, managing director of the lichtenfels chamber of commerce and industry. "I do not see any danger of the economy overheating, even though the economic upswing has already lasted nine years", so wasikowski. "Rather, I see the risk that the good economic situation, which has lasted for years, will cloud the view of politicians.
If germany wants to remain competitive in the future, a lot of things still need to be done. The spectrum ranges from digitization and the investment backlog in education to the creation of equal living conditions in all parts of the country." the current coalition agreement sends contradictory signals, but at least addresses some of the most important areas for the future. Wasikowski: "all in all i had wished for more courage in the interest of the german economy. I also have my doubts as to whether yesterday's rigid regulations can control the digital world of tomorrow."
Investments will also be made in 2019
the fact that companies are fundamentally optimistic about the future, despite the rather subdued expectations, is made clear by the investment intentions of lichtenfels' business community. In previous years, an above-average number of companies had already invested; in 2019, the intensity and level of investment is expected to increase once again. "The investment plans of the companies of lichtenfels provide the second best values in the chamber district", the vice president is pleased and adds: "this is an indication that the restrained expectations of the business situation will not last.