The Berlin Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) and the Brandenburg Chambers of Industry and Commerce are calling for a new leap in quality in the cooperation between Berlin and Brandenburg. At the 2026 Metropolitan Area Conference held today, key priorities for action were defined to secure competitiveness, growth and quality of life in the long term.
“The capital region has long functioned as a single economic area – now it must also be managed as such. Effective cooperation must not be left to chance,” emphasised Jens Warnken, President of the Cottbus Chamber of Industry and Commerce, speaking on behalf of the Brandenburg chambers. “Berlin and Brandenburg are, in effect, a single labour market. However, the political structures are lagging behind this reality. Without coordinated action, the region will lose out in the competition for skilled workers,” says Warnken.
The business community is therefore calling for an integrated strategy for skilled workers and the labour market that extends beyond state borders and helps to attract skilled workers more efficiently, place them more effectively and retain them in the long term. The key areas for action are seen as a joint international recruitment strategy for skilled workers, coordinated administrative structures and faster procedures, as well as improved framework conditions through affordable housing and functioning infrastructure.
Land and infrastructure: growth needs space and energy
Furthermore, the business community is calling for a joint, cross-state land use policy. “Commercial and residential development must not be played off against one another. We need both – and they must be planned in a coordinated manner to drive forward future investments in a targeted way,” emphasises Sebastian Stietzel, President of the Berlin Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK Berlin). “Secured and developed commercial sites, faster planning and approval procedures, and accelerated expansion of the energy infrastructure are key prerequisites for attracting new industrial settlements,” Stietzel continues. “Equally important is a joint internationalisation strategy, as foreign investors do not think in terms of national borders.” An efficient air transport hub is an essential prerequisite for growth.
Major events: seizing opportunities decisively now
Potential major projects as a catalyst for investment, innovation and international visibility are expressly supported by the business community. The Chambers see considerable potential for investment in infrastructure, tourism, the recruitment of skilled workers and sustainable urban development, as well as for international air links. “Anyone who wants to keep up globally must boldly seize opportunities; this also applies to major projects such as Expo 2035 or the Olympic Games,” adds Jens Warnken. Clear, positive political signals regarding major projects such as the EXPO are expected from politicians.
Faster progress through new cooperation structures
From the business community’s perspective, for major projects to succeed at all, more binding and efficient forms of cooperation between the federal states are needed. There is a call for joint steering and decision-making frameworks, clear responsibilities and faster coordination processes.
The Berlin-Brandenburg business community is ready to play an active role in shaping the development of the metropolitan region and, to this end, set out the necessary framework conditions and key future issues for Berlin-Brandenburg policymakers on 22 June in Schönefeld, both in person and in a white paper.
“The strength of the Berlin-Brandenburg metropolitan region can only be realised through a consistent, integrated approach to this shared economic and living space – this must now become a political reality; that is what the business community wants,” explains Sebastian Stietzel.