At the annual reception of the Frankfurt am Main Chamber of Industry and Commerce, representatives from business and politics called for less bureaucracy, more investment in infrastructure and a stronger focus on growth.
Frankfurt. Around 1,500 guests from the worlds of business, politics, culture and society gathered on Tuesday evening for the annual reception of the Frankfurt am Main Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK). The event was dominated by calls for a comprehensive reduction in regulation in order to strengthen economic momentum in the FrankfurtRhineMain metropolitan region, in Hesse and beyond.
In his speech, the President of the Frankfurt Chamber of Industry and Commerce, Ulrich Caspar, appealed to politicians and society to take greater account of the interests of the economy. Growth can only be achieved if government intervention is limited and entrepreneurial responsibility is strengthened. Caspar spoke out against what he sees as a widespread "comprehensive insurance mentality", in which the state tries to protect companies and citizens from all risks. What is needed, he said, is more freedom combined with responsibility. The reduction of overregulation is therefore the central demand of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce, regardless of industry or economic sector. In addition to deregulation, Caspar cited the expansion of digital and transport infrastructure as a second key prerequisite for future growth. Frankfurt must further expand its role as Europe's digital hub in order to secure access to the markets of the future. At the same time, he said, all modes of transport need to be modernised. Caspar was critical of the discrimination against car and lorry traffic in some cities. Despite the current challenges, the Chamber of Industry and Commerce president emphasised the attractiveness of the location. Frankfurt continues to enjoy an international reputation as a European financial centre, and the city's creative industries are also competitive on a global scale. The region has every reason to promote its strengths with greater confidence. In his welcoming address, Hesse's Minister President Boris Rhein praised the importance of the Frankfurt Chamber of Industry and Commerce for the state's economy. The chamber is a central pillar of Hesse's economic strength. At the same time, Rhein referred to a changed global economic situation with increasing geopolitical tensions, trade conflicts and far-reaching transformation processes. Resilience and economic sovereignty are necessary to put Germany back on a stable growth path, he said. Rhein described measures such as the bureaucracy reduction law in Hesse and investment programmes at state and federal level as first steps. He expressed confidence about 2026, provided that politics and business join forces. Frankfurt's Lord Mayor Mike Josef emphasised the confidence of the local economy. The city's entrepreneurs were characterised by their commitment and innovative strength. Josef announced several major projects for 2026, including new industrial projects in the west of the city and the opening of Terminal 3 at the airport. The number of employees subject to social insurance contributions had recently risen to 651,000, and Messe Frankfurt was also continuing to develop positively. Overall, Josef attested to the continued robust development of Frankfurt's economy. Despite international uncertainties, the IHK's annual reception thus conveyed a picture of cautious optimism – combined with the clear expectation that political action will be more strongly focused on growth, competitiveness and entrepreneurial freedom in the future.
