IHK demands clear relief: This is how 2026 should become easier for companies

At the turn of the year, the East Westphalia Chamber of Industry and Commerce in Bielefeld (IHK) links its outlook for 2026 with a concrete political mandate. The chamber is fundamentally optimistic, but makes this optimism dependent on whether the announced measures actually reach everyday business life – noticeably in costs, procedures, and investment decisions.

At its core, the IHK names three priorities: lower energy costs, a modernization of the state and administration, and tax incentives for investments. Programs that have already been announced or initiated in Berlin – including the "Investment and Growth Booster" and the "Construction Turbo" – must now, in the chamber's view, be implemented in such a way that they have an effect.

What the IHK will focus on in 2026

1. Lower energy costs – not just short-term, but reliably

   For many companies, energy is a strategic cost factor: It helps determine whether production, logistics, trade, or services remain economically viable at the location.

   Although energy prices have recently eased in some areas, the total bill for companies remains heavily influenced by grid fees as well as charges and levies. It is precisely at this point that the IHK calls for relief that is plannable and permanently reflected in the bills – instead of just in announcements.

2. Modernize state and administration – so that time becomes investable again

   The chamber is pushing for faster and more digital procedures. For companies, this is not about "comfort," but about hard location factors: Approvals, reporting obligations, and proof requirements tie up personnel, delay projects, and increase financing costs.

   A modernization agenda that simplifies processes and shortens lead times thus acts like an indirect investment program – without companies having to provide additional own funds.

3. Set tax incentives – so that investments are triggered earlier

   In practice, investment decisions are often a matter of timing and liquidity. Tax instruments that bring forward depreciation or expand funding limits can bring forward projects that would otherwise take place later or not at all.

   From the IHK's point of view, it is crucial that such incentives do not get stuck in legislation, but become legally secure, understandable, and quickly usable.

Why implementation is crucial for companies

The IHK explicitly bases its expectations on practical impact. This is particularly evident with the so-called "Growth Booster": On June 4, 2025, the federal cabinet adopted the draft for a tax investment immediate program. Among other things, a declining-balance depreciation of 30 percent per year for movable assets (temporarily from July 1, 2025), additional incentives for e-mobility, and an expanded research allowance are planned. The economic policy purpose is clear: Investments should take place earlier because the tax relief is brought forward in time.

For companies, however, the benefit of such programs is decided in detail: How quickly are regulations applicable? How high is the bureaucratic effort? How reliable are deadlines and interpretations? A measure can look strong on paper – and still fizzle out in practice if requirements are unclear, proofs become too laborious, or administrative processes cannot keep up.

The "arrival" also matters for energy costs. According to data from the Federal Statistical Office, electricity prices for non-households in the second half of 2025 (excluding VAT) were 19.22 cents per kilowatt hour, natural gas at 6.18 cents. Compared to the previous year, these were declines, but Destatis also points out that grid fees as well as taxes and levies significantly determine total costs. For companies, this means: Even if procurement prices fall, the calculation can still be under pressure due to regulated price components – a reason why the IHK is emphatically prioritizing the relief issue politically.

What role the IHK plays in the region

According to its own information, the IHK Ostwestfalen zu Bielefeld represents around 115,000 companies in the region. As a self-administration of the economy, it bundles interests from companies of various sizes and sectors and presents them to politics and administration.

When the chamber formulates concrete expectations at the turn of the year, it is therefore more than symbolism: It is a regional signal as to which levers, from the companies' point of view, will help determine investments, employment, and competitiveness in 2026.

All in all, the IHK's message is clear: For 2026, the next announcement counts less than reliable implementation. Relief in energy costs, faster and digital administration, and tax investment incentives should not remain just headlines – but become tangible in the everyday life of companies.