“Strong upswing as soon as the vaccine is available”

Berlin The new restrictions to combat the corona pandemic are appropriate from the point of view of wholesale and foreign trade. The measures are “consistent and correct,” said Anton F. Börner, President of the Federal Association of Wholesale and Foreign Trade (BGA), the Handelsblatt.

The BGA President assesses the aid pledges for the companies affected by closings positively. “This means that Germany has a unique selling point in Europe, perhaps even worldwide, that we are envied for,” he said. It is “impressive that it goes so quickly and without a fight”. The federal government deserves a huge compliment for this.

Börner does not share the concern that the billion-dollar aid pledges will develop into a mortgage for the future. The risks are manageable. “It is now paying off that in good times the federal government kept the money together and made sound budgetary policies,” he said.

However, Börner is critical of the closure of all catering establishments. “I am convinced that the risk of infection in restaurants is very low if certain safety rules are followed there. The complete closure of all restaurants is therefore going too far, ”said Börner.

The BGA president expects a vaccine to be available in the first quarter of next year. Then there is a strong upswing. “I am confident that we can return to business as usual in the second quarter. That means that the topic is gone for now, ”said Börner.

Börner supports efforts by the federal government to strive for sovereignty in the IT sector. “Before Corona I would have smiled about it. Today I say: It’s good that there are such initiatives, ”said Börner. “We have to try with all our might to get out of the monopoly claw of the US Internet companies.” It is about a European solution. The big five EU states would have to go ahead. “The goal must be to become independent from Silicon Valley,” said Börner.

Read the full interview here: