Ifo Industry Colloquium 2002: Dampened expectations for 2003

On 24 October 2002 the Ifo Institute held its second Ifo Industry Colloquim in co-operation with the Chamber of Industry and Commerce for Munich and Upper Bavaria and with funding from the Bavarian State Ministry of Economics, Traffic and Technology. The analysis of the overall economy and the economic trends in industry, construction, wholesaling and retailing as well as in selected service sectors was the main focus of the event. The conference, which was attended by some 250 participants, was opened by IHK President Dr. Claus Hipp. The subsequent dialogue between policy makers and business leaders on labour market flexibility was led by Ifo President Prof. Hans-Werner Sinn. In the subsequent panel discussion, moderated by Nikolaus Piper, chief editor of the Süddeutsche Zeitung's business section, participants were Dr. Michael Rogowski, President of the BDI, the Bavarian Minister for Economics, Traffic and Technology, Dr. Otto Wiesheu, and Prof. Anton Kathrein, Vice-president of the IHK. In the afternoon sessions, economic trends in manufacturing, construction, commerce and the services were discussed. On the basis of the analyses and forecasts of the industry experts of the Ifo Institute, the factors that influence industry-sector performance were debated by the participants, especially the business prognoses for 2003 and 2004.