Unterallgäu - The economy has picked up significantly in the Unterallgäu district and in Memmingen, as the IHK economic survey for autumn 2021 shows.
The IHK economic index for the region rose by 13 points from 110 to 123.
This exceeded the pre-crisis level from autumn 2019 as well as the long-term average.
"We are relieved that our companies have so far mastered the crisis well," says Andrea Thoma-Böck, chairwoman of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce regional assembly in Memmingen and Unterallgäu. “Problems such as the shortage of skilled workers or the dramatic rise in energy prices are jeopardizing this positive development. The economy depends on rapid and consistent action by politicians so that the upward trend does not collapse. "
According to the IHK Schwaben, the mood of the entrepreneurs has improved further in the past few months.
44 percent of the companies surveyed report a good business situation.
That is an increase of three percentage points compared to the previous survey from the spring.
Only twelve percent find a currently bad situation in their company.
The order volume from home and abroad has risen for the majority of companies over the summer.
“So far during the crisis, the sectors have presented a very different picture.
It is gratifying that the current survey now also reflects a recovery in the sectors particularly affected, such as travel, hospitality and retail, ”said Thoma-Böck.
Worried look into the future
However, as the IHK business survey also showed, the entrepreneurs in the Unterallgäu district are only cautiously looking to the future, despite the positive news. 68 percent and thus more than two thirds of those surveyed expect the business situation to remain the same in the next few months. Nine percent expect their situation to deteriorate. With regard to the expected order volume, domestic investments and the number of employees, the companies surveyed do not expect any change over the winter. Uncertainties exist, for example, about the further course of the pandemic or the global raw material and supply chain problems.
As in the Unterallgäu district and in the city of Memmingen, the economy throughout the Allgäu has turned on the turbo. The economic index for the region rose by 22 points to a value of 130 points. It is now above the pre-crisis level from autumn 2019 and the long-term average of 125 points. The entrepreneurs from the Allgäu report a positive mood. Every second respondent rates their current business situation as good. That is an increase of twelve percentage points compared to the spring of 2021. Companies are waiting with regard to their expectations for the coming months. 58 percent do not expect their situation to change. The assessments are similar with regard to the expected order volume, domestic investments and employment figures.
A look at the individual industries shows: The economic index for the travel and hospitality industry in the Allgäu has seen a remarkable increase. It rose by 97 points over the summer and now stands at 113. In spring 2021 it was 16 points. Currently, 50 percent of the companies surveyed report a good business situation. This recovery in the travel and hospitality industry was made possible by the gradual openings in early summer.
In contrast to tourism, the situation in industry in the Allgäu has only improved slightly.
The recovery has weakened, which means that the index only rose by nine points there.
The expectations in this sector are also subdued.
The majority of the entrepreneurs surveyed do not expect any change over the winter.
The reason for this is the persistent problems with preliminary products and supply chains.
According to the IHK Schwaben, rising energy prices are also causing problems for the industry.
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