Economic crisis in Styria: Entrepreneurs see no hope!

Economic crisis in Styria: Entrepreneurs see no hope!

Graz, Österreich - The Styrian economy faces a serious dilemma. The President of the Styria Chamber of Commerce, Josef Herk, urged that "Austria has a problem". The recently published economic barometer shows that over 76 percent of entrepreneurs classify the high wage and energy costs as essential growth brakes. These facts meant that many companies are hesitant in investments and that the prospects for 2025 appear somber - around 30 percent of entrepreneurs calculate with workplace cuts. As reported by , measures were required to secure competitiveness, especially by reducing non -wage costs and price capping with energy prices.

The numbers speak a clear language. According to the survey values of the economic barometer, the actual status amounted to alarming -73.6 points, while expectations for 2025 are -51.9 points. A negative trend is clearly recognizable, whereby the majority of the 720 companies surveyed sees the increase in labor costs as a major disadvantage for the location. The uncertainties and the shortage of skilled workers also contribute to the pessimistic mood. MeinDzeitkirk emphasizes that large companies are particularly affected, while one-person companies are somewhat more optimistic about the future.

urgent political measures required

The situation is so tense that there is no trend reversal in sight without suitable political measures, the director of the Chamber of Commerce, Karl-Heinz Dernoscheg, also warns. A required solution is a tax bonus for wage increases to dampen the wage cost dynamics, as well as the introduction of energy policy price cap. In addition, an investment bonus and a comprehensive construction package are required to give the economy new impetus. The entrepreneurs agree: "Finally takes action instead of words". This is the only way to find out the Styrian economy from the current crisis and initiate a recovery that is important for everyone involved.