Following the presentation of the 10-point plan with economic impulses on the first day of the retreat, the Federal Cabinet focussed on a reduction of red tape and the issue of digitisation on the second day of the meeting. “We have initiated a large number of resolutions,” said Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz at the closing press conference. In addition to this summary, he gave the following outlook: “We are going to stay on top of this. Germany needs a fast pace.”

Federal Finance Minister Christian Lindner announced plans to get an insight into the work of businesses across Germany to learn what can be simplified in a modern state. Removing red tape meant making administrative procedures more efficient and quicker and removing unnecessary bureaucratic obstacles for citizens, he added.

Federal Minister of Economic Affairs Habeck took a look at the “big picture” and concluded that a society needed goals and the optimism to believe that these goals could be reached. If this was not the case, there would be fear and doubts, rather than solutions, he said.

Growth and opportunities

Seven billion euros for economic growth and a 2.3 billion euro reduction of compliance costs for bureaucratic requirements: the 10-point plan is the Federal Government’s campaign for growth and a boost for the economy, said Federal Chancellor Scholz at the cabinet retreat in Meseberg on Tuesday. “All of these aspects are meant to promote progress in Germany and to enable us to take available opportunities,” Scholz stressed.

Federal Minister of Economic Affairs Habeck added that investment should be incentivised in a challenging economic climate. Federal Finance Minister Lindner explained that the Federal Government was aware of the current economic problems, but also of the country’s strength, and that the goal was to fully tap “the turn-around potential” by means of the Growth Opportunities Act.

Fundamental modernisation is the best way to make Germany stronger and more resilient, both economically and socially: this is one of the first few sentences of the programme 10 points for Germany as a business hub. How the Federal Government seeks to make the business hub fit for the future and why there are many reasons to be optimistic: Business hub Germany – fit for the future.

Utilising digitalisation and artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence was among the issues discussed on the first day of the retreat. Katharina Zweig from the TU Kaiserslautern, Jonas Andrulis, the founder and managing director of Aleph Alpha and Christopher Kränzler, the founder and managing director of Lengoo were invited as guests. The Cabinet wanted to specifically discuss options for using digitalisation and artificial intelligence with experts from the academic sector and the start-up scene. The Federal Chancellor pointed out that great changes were happening in this field. Federal Finance Minister Lindner spoke of an “industrial revolution” enabled by artificial intelligence.

Another thematic block that was discussed was digital progress including the issue of data protection and ways to use data. Christiane Wendehorst from the University of Vienna and Christian Klein, Board Spokesman of SAP, were invited to take part in this dialogue.

Guests from around the world are received in Meseberg. It is a place where the Federal Government can hold its retreats and speak about government policy, away from the capital city. The Federal Government’s guest house Schloss Meseberg in Brandenburg offers ideal conditions for this.