Industry in the region will enter 2023 with cautious confidence. According to the barometer of the Bernese Jura Chamber of Public Economy, presented on Wednesday morning, the industry is operating with great intensity and is stabilizing in terms of incoming orders. Positive, even if there are still various pressures, namely inflation, the geopolitical context, the disruption of supply chains, as well as the uncertainty in terms of the evolution of the price of electricity. Overall, the industrial dynamic therefore shows a certain stability, but which remains tinged with caution. This is felt in particular at the level of investments, explains the director of the CEP Patrick Linder:
Patrick Linder also noted that the level of operation and the job offer have been set at a considerable height for two years. Thus, most of the production capacities of companies in the region are mobilised.
Risk of energy shortage temporarily ruled out
Last autumn’s barometer was very cautious due to the risk of energy shortages and major measures to restrict electricity consumption. Winter isn’t over yet, but those worries have been allayed according to Patrick Linder. Concretely, the director of the CEP explains that these fears have been transferred to more operational problems which are manageable by the companies. However, the risk of an energy shortage might reoccur in the coming years and companies are now better equipped to deal with it, assures Patrick Linder:
The director of the CEP notes that the explosion in the price of the kilowatt/hour affects the economic players in various ways. Most companies had already negotiated their rates for at least 2023 and were therefore shielded from last year’s variations. For others, the price increase had some impact, despite the savings measures put in place. Some companies have already had to pass on this increase to the price of products. But Patrick Linder tempers and explains that the cost parameter is now integrated into most plans and thus can be managed.
This CEP barometer focuses largely on the risk of electricity shortages, but Patrick Linder notes that other problems remain, such as the lack of qualified personnel and stagnating relations with the European Union. /lyg