The economic effects of the Russian invasion of Ukraine are currently challenging small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) after the restrictions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021. These led to high price increases in energy costs, especially in the summer and autumn of 2022, which are now declining partially, at least in import prices. At the Bund-Länder Committee Mittelstand in Berlin at the end of April, Peter Kranzusch presented the developments in the key economic figures that describe the current situation of SMEs. He emphasised that there has been no decline in business start-ups so far, which speaks to the attractiveness of Germany as a business location.
In addition to the economic effects of the war in Ukraine, SMEs must adapt to the changing framework conditions resulting from climate change. Dr Susanne Schlepphorst used the results of the study "Adaptation to Climate Change: Specific Challenges for SMEs" to show that most companies are already taking adaptation measures.
