On March 31 and April 1, 2025, the DIHK Committee for Industry and Research held a pre-evening event and session in Dresden. The pre-evening focused on the economic and technological development of Saxony as an innovation location. In a professionally informed discussion with Frank Bösenberg, Managing Director of Silicon Saxony e.V., Bundestag member Lars Rohwer, and Lukas Rohleder, CEO of the Dresden Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK Dresden), regional perspectives, potentials, and challenges for business and research were intensively examined.

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Interview Innovation

"Companies must be visible"

Innovation is essential for many companies to compete against larger rivals. Susanne Szczesny-Oßing, Chairwoman of the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Committee for Industry and Research, tells us how much a medium-sized company needs to invest in innovation.

The focus of the committee meeting was on several strategic decisions for German and European industry and research policy. These included:

• The plans of the future federal government in the area of industry and research,
• The new EU Research Framework Programme,
• The Clean Industrial Deal and its impacts on companies,
• And the Transfer Initiative of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs.

The agenda was complemented by current reports from scientific research and the committee. The discussions highlighted the requirements companies will need to consider in the future European and national funding and regulatory framework.

The next meeting of the DIHK Committee for Industry and Research will take place on November 12 and 13, 2025 in Berlin.

The DIHK Committee for Industry and Research includes entrepreneurs from various industries as well as representatives of the IHK organisation. Through their practical expertise, they contribute economic, technological, and research policy perspectives to the committee's work.

The following members belong to the DIHK Committee for Industry and Research: