SMEs are a key pillar of the German economy. To ensure that companies remain innovative, competitive, and capable of action in the future, reliable financing conditions are required across all phases of corporate development. Cluster 1 of the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry's economic policy positions consolidates the DIHK's positions on strengthening small and medium-sized enterprises as well as efficient corporate financing – from establishment and growth to business succession and transformation.
The economy at large requires conditions that encourage growth and innovation. While an increasing number of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are engaging in cross-border activities, they often struggle to offset local disadvantages or can only do so with relatively higher costs by establishing or expanding operations abroad to stay competitive. Bureaucratic burdens particularly impact SMEs. Given the current major challenges like high bureaucratic demands, significantly increased energy costs, strong shortage of skilled labor, geopolitical tensions, and the energy and climate policy transformation process, businesses require more entrepreneurial freedoms and greater flexibility alongside a broad technology-neutral economic policy approach.
Surveys conducted by the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK) organization indicate that businesses attribute more value to clear and market-oriented conditions than selective and often bureaucratic (support) measures (refer to the chapter "Research and Innovation"). This also holds true for securing increasingly difficult business succession planning.
- Relevant in topic:
- Economic and Fiscal Policy
- Key areas:
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- Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs)
- Financing
Released 13.11.2024
Modified 12.06.2026