Czech-German Chamber: About 60% of firms want coordinated EU energy policy

Nearly 60% of companies want greater coordination of energy policy within the EU, Christian Rühmkorf from the Czech-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry told journalists today. Energy prices are seen by every second company as the main risk to their business over the next 12 months, while in a five-year horizon, firms consider securing supplies of energy and raw materials to be the biggest challenge. This follows from a chamber survey conducted among 125 companies at the turn of March and April.

In addition to energy prices, 43% of businesses see a shortage of qualified workers as a risk factor for further economic growth. Jiří Lopata, managing director of the engineering division at Streicher, noted that technical fields at universities need greater societal support, especially from the government.

One percentage point fewer companies cited weak demand as a concern – although this was the top risk last year – while 40 percent feel threatened by raw material prices.