Johannes Schmalzl, Managing Director of the Stuttgart Region Chamber of Industry and Commerce, began by presenting the current, as yet unpublished IHK economic survey for the Stuttgart Region. It clearly shows that satisfaction in the regional economy is declining significantly. This is particularly evident in industry, said Schmalzl. The survey also shows that the impetus from abroad is continuing to wane, said the IHK Managing Director. The biggest threat to the economy in the Ludwigsburg district is the trade conflicts between the USA and Europe as well as the USA and China. According to Schmalzl, we must now "take a positive stand for free global trade". The EU internal market is the "engine of our economy", "we must now also defend our achievements on the global political stage", said the IHK Managing Director.
Dr. Heinz-Werner Schulte, CEO of Kreissparkasse Ludwigsburg, addressed the role of the European Central Bank (ECB) and its impact on the regional economy in his presentation. He criticized the ECB's huge glut of money and the development of key interest rates, which led to "enormous side effects". He concluded his presentation with various proposals for the European Union's economic policy, including state support for private savings with the help of an allowance, cautious interest rate measures and a European agreement on deeper social policy integration. A fiscal policy strategy for 2030 is at least as necessary as a climate policy strategy, said Dr. Schulte, addressing the new EU Commission and EU Parliament.
District Administrator Dr. Rainer Haas summarized the two keynote speeches and concluded by naming the three major challenges for the regional economy: monetary policy, Brexit and American protectionism. In his opinion, the merger of a smaller group of member states within the EU could generate new momentum on certain issues and move the EU forward.
