Ministerin: Reiche wieder zurück - Ministerin: Investitionen zentral

Bundeswirtschaftsministerin Katherina Reiche has returned to the political stage after a health-related absence, focusing on Germany's potential as an investment location. In conversation with the Deutsche Presse-Agentur, Reiche emphasized, "Germany must shift from a location of concerns to an investment location. Growth cannot be ordered, but the state can create the conditions under which it emerges."

During the parliamentary summer break, Reiche refrained from public engagements for weeks, yet remained largely accessible, according to a ministry spokesperson. It was revealed that she underwent a necessary medical procedure in the past week. Reiche also missed the cabinet's review meeting the previous week. "The next growth boost will come not from new subsidies, but from new technologies, entrepreneurial spirit, and private capital," she stated.

"Germany's problem is not a shortage of ideas. Too often, we fail in the transition from lab to factory, from patent to production, and from innovation to export." Reiche attributed this to the German government, citing examples such as semiconductors, biotechnology, and artificial intelligence (AI). An investment conference set for October will bring international capital together for projects in infrastructure and AI.

The conference is set to take place in Berlin in early October, with Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) in attendance. Reiche also highlighted her planned reforms in energy policy, aiming to reduce costs and adapt renewable energy expansion to grid expansion. However, environmental groups criticize Reiche's stance as potentially hindering the energy transition.