Despite sanctions: German economy successful in Russia | Economy | '
The policy should engage more strongly in Russia, so that not China or Japan repressed German export companies. This demanded the president of the foreign trade chamber (AHK) Rainer soul as well as the chief executive of the AHK in Moscow, Matthias Schepp.
Both presented the results of a survey of the chamber among its members. 141 companies with German participation took part. After that, Russia will remain a difficult market. Less than a third of respondents rate the general development in Russia 'positive' or 'slightly positive'. There are several reasons.
Presentation of the AHK survey in Moscow with Rainer Seele (center) and Matthias Schepp (left)
Russia in the sanction tongs
Above all, the business activities affect sanctions by the EU and the USA. Schepp differentiated between the "precise and clear" sanctions of the Europeans and the rather "dare sanctions of the Americans". The EU wants to change the behavior of the Kremlin in Ukraine policy, says Schepp. The Americans would pursue their own economic interests. As an example, he cited Washington's efforts to market LPG from the US to the EU market. This explains why the White House is contesting the expansion of the Nord Stream pipeline, which will deliver additional gas from Russia to Europe.
"Washington wants to bring Russia to its knees," says Schepp. That's the wrong way. The AHK survey proves that sanctions are causing German companies to lose more than one billion euros a year.
In conversation with ‘, the foreign policy spokesman of the SPD parliamentary group, Nils Schmid, supported the sanctions. They are not an end in themselves. "They were the right response from the European Union to the illegal annexation of Crimea and the conflict in the south-east of Ukraine, but if there is verifiable progress on the implementation of the Minsk agreements, then together with our EU partners we should Starting to withdraw from the sanctions. "
Work on the Nord Stream pipeline
Russia's economy in poor condition
Schepp and Seele complained in Moscow of the weak economy in Russia. Currently, there are different numbers. At best, Russia's growth is 1.3 percent. But there are also estimates that are significantly lower, even speak of recession. Russia would have to grow by three to four percent so as not to completely lose touch with the global economy. After the invasion of Ukraine in 2014, the economy is weakening. She also suffers from too much bureaucracy and corruption, according to the AHK poll. Schepp warned against protectionist tendencies in Moscow. "We do not believe in a return to the planned economy," he said exuberantly. Russia's companies and the Russians themselves "should trust more market economy".
The arrest of US investor Michael Calvey was a "slap" against the investment climate in Russia, complained the AHK chief. He regretted that the arrest had not been made by the regular police, but by the intelligence services. Calvey has always promoted a stronger engagement of foreigners in Russia in the past. The fact that he was arrested has the consequence that other investors asked themselves: "If this happens to Calvey, it can happen to me," said Schepp.
Dispute Nordstream 2
Despite the difficult conditions, the German economy is growing in Russia. "The German economy has a great interest in the Russian market," explained Rainer Seele. Many companies expect to increase sales and profits further. According to the AHK survey, 39 percent want to invest in Russia in the near future. 29 percent want to expand their activities further. Almost all AHK members are in favor of the early completion of the second strand of the Nord Stream 2 Baltic Sea pipeline. 60 percent of the project has already been completed. If the Americans prove the project with further sanctions, the construction could be finished in the worst case, the Russian energy company Gazprom alone, estimates Rainer soul. In other words, the project can not be stopped anymore. Opponents of the pipeline in the USA, in Poland or in Ukraine subordinate soul to pursue own economic interests.
Committed to better economic relations with Russia: Federal Minister of Economics Peter Altmaier (right), here with Maxim Oreshkin, Minister of Economic Development of Russia
In the end, Seele and Schepp praised the commitment of Federal Minister of Economics Peter Altmeier. He had been to Russia four times in one year. The AHK members wanted a stronger presence of Chancellor Angela Merkel in Russia. According to the survey, 87 percent of the companies surveyed are in favor of the Chancellor being more involved in international business forums in Russia. Many companies fear that Chinese or Japanese companies could displace German companies from the Russian market. They hope for more support from a policy in Berlin.
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