Saxony presents a model for the economy until 2040

Saxony's economy does not want to be an extended workbench and wants to make better use of its strengths. In addition to a strong medium-sized business and trade, industrial competence, research and development as well as microelectronics, life science, artificial intelligence and robotics are seen as advantages of the Free State. After a top-level discussion in Dresden, a “mission statement” for the Saxon economy was presented. It should show where you want to be in 2040 and serve as a compass.

Saxony wants to take a leading position in terms of growth

Economics Minister Dirk Panter (SPD) made it clear that Saxony wants to be among the top 3 nationwide in gross domestic product growth by then. The Saxon economy is under considerable pressure, said employer president Jörg Brückner. In the past three years, industry in the Free State has lost 19,000 jobs. In order to regain lost trust, politicians must finally implement reforms. Employees must have “more net of gross,” and the state must concentrate on its core tasks.

DGB: Employees are unsettled and worried about their jobs

«The challenges from the multiple crises are already having a massive impact on the labor market and especially on industry in Saxony. Many employees are unsettled and fear for their jobs,” emphasized Daniela Kolbe, head of the German Federation of Trade Unions in Saxony. Now the government and the social partners must pull together and go on the offensive together for secure, good jobs with a future and social security for people.

Business wants to achieve product and technology leadership

Brückner admitted that they agreed on the goal, but also had different ideas about how to get there on certain points. The economy is positioning itself for a strong welfare state - “for those in need and for people who are in need”. But you also have to be able to hold your own in international competition. In the future it will not be possible to achieve success with simple products. “There are others who have different basic and framework conditions. We don’t want to go there at all.” The aim is to achieve product and technology leadership.

According to Panter, Saxony has an excellent research landscape - even in international comparison. But there is still room for improvement when it comes to the transfer of products. Another point is the reduction in bureaucracy, on which the business community and trade unions agree. You have to keep an eye on the long-term perspective of the Saxon economy and create guidelines that guide your actions.

The Minister of Economics invited the leaders of business, trade unions and government factions to a first top-level discussion on the state of the economy in the Free State in autumn 2025. Now the third meeting took place, at which the mission statement was formulated on 25 pages. After an analysis, the individual chapters always deal with short-term and long-term measures.

It is better to invest the amount of inheritance tax in the company

The goal of “backing up corporate responsibility” is to support company succession through appropriate structuring of gift and inheritance tax. Revenue-neutral reforms are being proposed in Saxony for owner-managed companies. The heirs and successors should be obliged to invest the sum due in the company and only pay the difference as tax if it is not fulfilled in full. Brückner was convinced that this would send a “fantastic signal” to the heirs of the founders.