Page 9 - Port of Hamburg Magazine 03.2019
P. 9

HAMBURG’S MARKETS ■
  INGO EGLOFF, CEO PORT OF HAMBURG MARKETING
tempt long-term commitment. That also applies to the Chinese market. Reliability and continuity pay off. For a people, like the Chinese, which acts in the long term will try to defend its position and remain successful on the markets. After all, its Silk Road policy is designed for the long term.
Looking at numerous economic forecasts, one reads on the German economy (‘Wirtschaftsdienst 2019’ – ‘Economic Bulletin’, page 443): ‘In the absence of ad- verse factors, the moderate economic upswing could continue in 2020. [...] The main stimulus remains the domestic economy, all the more so as the industrial situation may stabilize. In addition, foreign trade – provided that current political uncertainties do not get worse and the global economy recovers somewhat – will also contribute to growth.’ Yet in the light of many uncertainties internationally, one has to doubt wheth- er conditions will remain like that.
All the same, the economy is reacting more to fresh challenges, and more flexibly than people suppose. ‘Uncertainty shocks’ such as those triggered by the decision for Brexit, 9/11 or other occurrences, led to uncertainties on decisions. This has been shown by international research (see ‘Wirtschaftdienst 2019’ – ‘Economic Bulletin’, p. 520). Findings such as those in the IFO Index of Business Climate are no more than snapshots, unsuitable as a basis for long-term plan- ning.
Port development and assessments of the market must therefore always keep long-term trends in view. One should not lightly decide to join in every trend. Long-term and continuous development of the strengths of a site, such as hinterland rail infra- structure and customer relations, are crucial weap- ons in cultivating markets that pay off in the long term. ■
Port of Hamburg Magazine | September 2019 | 09
© HHM / Achim Multhaupt



























































































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