On November 7th, the BTE held discussions with decision-makers from federal politics in Berlin in order to explain to them the current problems and topics in the textile, shoe and leather goods trade. At the beginning, BTE President Mark Rauschen, BTE Executive Board member Jens Ristedt and BTE Managing Director Rolf Pangels met with Sarah Ryglewski, Minister of State in the Federal Chancellery, for an exchange. In particular, the role of the fashion retail sector in the attractiveness and multifunctionality of inner cities was presented. The Minister of State emphasized the importance of textile, shoe and leather goods retailers for the future development of the city center and particularly advocated a balanced transport policy in the city centers, especially with regard to car traffic and public transport.
Complex sustainability issues
The diverse and complex sustainability issues that pose major challenges to the fashion industry were also addressed. Finally, the current difficulties in the final settlement of the bridging aid were discussed. State Minister Ryglewski agreed to disseminate the BTE position paper again on the topic of bridging aid.
Afterwards, BTE Managing Director Rolf Pangels and HDE Managing Director Stefan Genth had the opportunity to speak to representatives of the Federal Ministry of Economics about current issues and problems with the final accounts for the Corona bridging aid. The ministry representatives expressly pointed out that processing the final accounts quickly and with as little (bureaucratic) effort as possible is also in the spirit of the ministry and referred to relevant instructions already given by Minister Robert Habeck.
Interpretation of the various regulations
The Federal Ministry of Economics agreed to once again point out to the federal states and licensing authorities a pragmatic interpretation of the various regulations that is “acceptable” for affected companies at the next head of state conference of economics ministers on November 22, 2023. What effects/impulses this “influence” will have on the licensing authorities remains to be seen and will be monitored by the BTE. The BTE will remain in close contact, particularly with the HDE regional associations, and will inform the industry accordingly.