04. Februar 2005 Germany is losing research and development investment as companies relocate their facilities to their foreign markets or to low-cost locations, according to a survey conducted by the Association of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce (DIHK). DIHK surveyed over 1,600 German companies which together account for around 60 percent of all private-sector research and development done in the country. One in three companies surveyed has invested in setting up research and development facilities abroad. Half of these companies have already relocated research and development facilities to foreign countries. Another 17 percent plan to offshore a portion of their activities within two years. Axel Nitschke, the DIHK's chief economist, said that the lost investment volume amounted to €2 billion. Nitschke blamed the exodus on poor conditions in Germany such as high wage costs and bureaucracy. Research Minister Edelgard Buhlmahn called the study misleading. Relocating research and development activities was necessary, she said, pointing out that foreign companies also conducted research in Germany. ek
Herausgegeben von Werner D'Inka, Berthold Kohler, Günther Nonnenmacher, Frank Schirrmacher, Holger Steltzner
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