Ifo Industry Colloquium 2006

On 26 October 2006 the Ifo Institute held its annual Ifo Industry Colloquium in co-operation with the Chamber of Industry and Trade for Munich and Upper Bavaria and with support from the Bavarian Ministry for Economic Affairs, Infrastructure, Traffic and Technology. The analysis of the overall economy and economic developments in manufacturing, construction, wholesaling and retailing as well as in selected service sectors was the focus of the conference. After words of welcome from Dr. Robert Obermeier, IHK for Munich and Upper Bavarian, the first part of the conference was devoted to an analysis and discussion of the economic situation in Germany and Europe, the capital market and the labour market by the President of the Ifo Institute, Hans-Werner Sinn. This was followed by four industry forums that examined economic trends in manufacturing, trade, construction and the services. The forums were introduced by experts of the Ifo Institute and included contributions from external experts. The conference concluded with a panel discussion on "how much manufacturing and how much services does Germany need"? Podium discussants were the Bavarian Minister of State, Erwin Huber, Professor Hagen Krämer of the University of Applied Sciences of Karlsruhe, Eugen Münch, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Rhön-Klinikum AG, Professor Josef Nassauer, CEO of Bayern Innovativ GmbH and Professor Bernd Stauss of the University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt. Dr. Gernot Nerb, head of the Ifo Department of Industry Branch Research chaired the panel.