Increased focus on business creation and innovation.

The Economic Ministers Conference (EMC) recently convened in Stuttgart, Germany, with the theme "Daring entrepreneurship - Innovation and new value creation through start-ups and business succession." The conference, chaired by Dr. Nicole Hoffmeister-Kraut, the Minister of Economics, was a platform for discussions on improving economic conditions for companies and self-employed individuals.

Dr. Hoffmeister-Kraut, who will also chair the Economic Ministers Conference 2026 in Baden-Württemberg, emphasized the importance of companies and self-employed individuals to the success of the German economic location. The conference agreed that the framework conditions for businesses, especially start-ups, need to be significantly improved.

One of the key areas of focus was the need to remove barriers to entrepreneurship in Germany. The EMC discussed the importance of improvements in procurement, swift public procurement, and investments in reliable public infrastructure, particularly for ports. Claus Ruhe Madsen, Minister of Economics of Schleswig-Holstein, highlighted the need for these improvements, stating that they are crucial for stimulating economic growth and creating new opportunities.

Another issue that received attention was the need to reduce regulations and reporting requirements at both the national and EU levels. Madsen called for a differentiated and risk-based regulatory approach instead of a blanket ban on PFAS, while the EMC agreed that reporting and proof requirements at the EU level should be reduced to the minimum, and all regulations should be practical and proportional.

The EMC also emphasized the need to improve the framework conditions for private venture capital, which is a significant barrier to entrepreneurship in Germany. Madsen advocated for the implementation of the Supply Chain Due Diligence Act to be suspended and comprehensively revised at the EU level.

In addition to these discussions, the EMC adopted further resolutions on the topics "Reform and focus EU chemicals regulation" and "Developing framework conditions for security-relevant defense industry." Dr. Melanie Leonhard, Senator for Economy, Labor, and Innovation of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, emphasized the need to continue developing framework conditions for the security-relevant defense industry.

The Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labor, and Tourism has a media library with images for download available, and a press office and contact form for citizens to reach out. The EMC decided that the conference will take place for the second time in Baden-Württemberg, in Konstanz, next year with the main theme "Strengthening the German economic location with competition and innovations."

Madsen warned against further bureaucratic burdens on the economy in the current economic phase, stating they would severely endanger the international competitiveness of Germany and the EU. The EMC called on the Federal Government to consistently represent the interests of the German and European economy vis-à-vis the European Union.

The EMC concluded with a strong commitment to supporting entrepreneurship and innovation in Germany, and to reducing regulatory burdens to stimulate economic growth and create new opportunities for businesses and self-employed individuals.