IHK calls for 2026: Lower energy costs, modernize administration, accelerate investments

At the turn of the year, the East Westphalia Chamber of Industry and Commerce in Bielefeld (IHK) is looking ahead to 2026 – optimistic, but with clear expectations of politics. The focus is on three levers that, from the Chamber's point of view, are crucial for the region's competitiveness: a noticeable relief in energy costs, faster and more reliable procedures in government and administration, and tax incentives so that investments are actually triggered.

According to its own information, the IHK represents around 115,000 companies in East Westphalia as a public law corporation (https://www.ihk.de/ostwestfalen/ihre-ihk/ueber-uns). The appeal is accordingly practical: fewer new headlines, more functioning implementation.

The IHK relies on implementation instead of new announcements

The Chamber makes it clear that 2026 will not be measured by additional program names, but by results in the companies. The "Investment and Growth Booster" and the "Construction Turbo" are mentioned – measures that have already been initiated politically and now need to reach the everyday life of companies.

Especially when it comes to investment decisions, what counts from a business perspective is not the political announcement, but practical usability: Are regulations understandable? Do they take effect in time? Can applications and proofs be processed without months of delays? The IHK thus ties in with the expectation that economic policy impulses do not get bogged down in legislation and administration, but rather increase predictability and speed.

Energy costs remain a key competitive factor

The IHK is particularly insistent on relief in energy costs. In its economic survey from spring 2025, the Chamber had already noted that energy costs are too high in international comparison (https://www.ihk.de/ostwestfalen/ihre-ihk/pressemeldungen/pressemeldungen2025/pm-2025-konjunktur-industrie-6637664). For energy-intensive companies, this has a direct impact on unit costs, margins, and thus on competitiveness – and ultimately also on investment leeway.

At the IHK's annual reception, possible levers such as lower grid fees and a planned industrial electricity price were mentioned (https://www.ostwestfalen.ihk.de/presse/aktuelle-pressemeldungen/jahresempfang-der-ihk-ostwestfalen-klare-botschaften-und-beitragssenkung/). From the Chamber's point of view, it is crucial that such instruments are not only discussed, but are designed in such a way that they become effective across the board and promptly in the cost structures of companies.

Bureaucracy and investments move into focus

In addition to energy costs, the IHK is pushing for a modernization agenda for government and administration. Behind this is the experience of many companies that slow, inconsistent, or difficult-to-calculate procedures can slow down investments: Approvals delay project starts, tie up staff, and increase financing costs – especially when deadlines and requirements are interpreted differently depending on the authority.

The fact that bureaucracy is not just a regional annoyance but a broad location issue is underlined by a company survey by the German Economic Institute (IW): In the survey conducted in autumn 2025, around 80 percent of companies reported increased compliance costs due to reporting and documentation obligations. The central approaches are therefore less extensive requirements and a more digitalized administration (https://www.iwkoeln.de/presse/pressemitteilungen/klaus-heiner-roehl-susanne-seyda-vier-von-fuenf-unternehmen-klagen-ueber-mehr-buerokratie.html).

In addition, there are tax incentives intended to facilitate investments. On June 26, 2025, the Bundestag passed the tax investment immediate program law ("Growth Booster"); among other things, accelerated depreciation, further investment incentives, and an expansion of the tax research allowance are planned (https://www.bundestag.de/dokumente/textarchiv/2025/kw26-de-investitionssofortprogramm-1084772). From the companies' point of view, the effect will depend on how easy it is to apply in practice – and whether regulations are implemented in such a way that they trigger investments not only after long transitions, but within the relevant time window.

With the "Construction Turbo", the Federal Cabinet passed a legislative initiative on June 23, 2025, intended to accelerate planning and approval processes in residential construction; one of the goals is a significantly faster decision on development plans (https://www.bmwsb.bund.de/SharedDocs/pressemitteilungen/DE/2025/06/bauturbo-pm.html?nn=42820). For the regional economy, speed in construction would not only contribute to easing the housing market, but also be a location factor for skilled workers and companies – provided that the procedures actually become shorter and more reliable.

All in all, the IHK's direction for 2026 is clear: lower energy costs, less friction from bureaucracy, and an investment framework that works in practice. The decisive test remains whether programs and legislative initiatives lead to noticeable relief and measurably more speed in everyday business.