IHK summer evening: Reforms for the future of companies in Koblenz!

IHK summer evening: Reforms for the future of companies in Koblenz!

On August 28, 2025, the IHK summer evening took place in the Rhein-Mosel-Halle in Koblenz, which was attended by around 700 representatives from business, politics and administration in northern Rhineland-Palatinate. Under the motto “Market of Encounters”, the Koblenz Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK) invited people to this important networking event after the IHK general meeting. Prime Minister Alexander Schweitzer and IHK President Susanne Szczesny-Oßing welcomed the guests and opened the evening with a clear announcement.

In her speech, Szczesny-Oßing addressed the current challenges that companies are facing, in particular dissatisfaction with economic policy and the associated loss of trust in those responsible. She called for far-reaching structural reforms to ensure sustainable growth and criticized recent political decisions in Rhineland-Palatinate, such as the state climate protection law and the amendment to the educational exemption law. Her words underscored the need for an “autumn of reforms” at the federal political level. Szczesny-Oßing appealed to those present to take advantage of the region's opportunities and to develop a new, optimistic attitude.

Demands of the IHK working group

Before the summer evening, the IHK general assembly had decided on electoral regulations for the upcoming elections in 2026. A central topic was also the economic situation, which was described as tense and pessimistic by Arne Rössel, the general manager of the Rhineland-Palatinate Chamber of Industry and Commerce working group. In a position paper on the 2025 federal election under the title “Economy. Future. Now.” The IHK named twelve fundamental demands that aim to eliminate structural and bureaucratic obstacles for companies.

In particular, the IHK mentions that Rhineland-Palatinate has around 157,000 companies, 99.4% of which are micro-enterprises with fewer than ten employees. These companies face a variety of challenges, such as excessive bureaucracy and complex reporting requirements. The IHK is calling for these bureaucratic processes to be simplified and the tax burden to be reduced to around 25% in order to promote competitiveness and growth.

• Bürokratieabbau: Umsetzung von EU-Vorgaben ohne nationale Verschärfungen.
• Verkehrsinfrastruktur: Ausreichende Mittel für die Instandhaltung und den Ausbau der Verkehrswege.
• Steuerreform: Senkung der Steuerlast auf 25 %, Abschaffung des Solidaritätszuschlags, Reform der Gewerbesteuer.
• Investitionen: Erhöhung in Infrastruktur, Bildung und Forschung ohne neue Schulden.
• Senkung der Energiekosten: Förderung erneuerbarer Energien und Senkung staatlicher Abgaben.

Szczesny-Oßing's critical comments and the comprehensive demands of the IHK working group are appeals to political decision-makers to initiate necessary reforms in order to strengthen the economic basis in Rhineland-Palatinate and to ensure the competitiveness of companies. This issue will also be further illuminated by the upcoming federal elections on February 23, 2025, which are expected to have a significant impact on the economic situation in the region.

In addition, Colonel i. G. Andreas Schramm from the Federal Office for Equipment, Information Technology and Use of the Bundeswehr highlighted the challenges arising from the changed defense policy. The economic and political interfaces were focused on at the summer evening in order to promote dialogue between those involved and to develop solutions for the future.

For further information on the topics and demands finally discussed, the detailed reporting is available on the websites of WW Courier and Localo to find.