Home > Guest article by Alexander von Preen, President of the HDE, CEO of Intersport Deutschland eG and Vice President of the BDA

Continuously improving the framework conditions for doing business in Germany

BDA AGENDA 23/23 | COMMENT OF THE WEEK | November 02, 2023

Alexander von Preen, President of the German Retail Association (HDE), CEO of Intersport Deutschland eG and Vice President of the BDA

It is with both joy and humility that I can say that I have been elected Vice President and Member of the Board of the Confederation of German Employers' Associations (BDA)! Thank you very much for the trust you have placed in me!

Due to my close ties with the economy of our country, this appointment is not only an honor for me, but also an opportunity to represent the interests of the German economy at national and international level. It is also important to me to be involved in voluntary work: I have been able to do this for almost a year now as President of the German Retail Association (HDE). And "YES!", this is challenging due to my full-time job as CEO of INTERSPORT Deutschland eG, but in my opinion it is necessary:

I am aware of the overall social responsibility of my new role - especially in such dynamic and challenging times as these. This is precisely why it is important to me to make a contribution to continuously improving the framework conditions for doing business in Germany. I would like to give high priority to the following core areas and give them FOCUS:

▪ MORE investment and innovation: In order to operate successfully and compete internationally, companies in Germany must invest, drive innovation and create jobs and apprenticeships. On behalf of the BDA, I am determined to play an active role in laying the foundations for this and creating an economic environment that favors these developments.

▪ MORE entrepreneurial spirit: We must expand the creative freedom of our companies and allow them to move forward boldly. Innovative strength and entrepreneurial courage must be at the forefront of this. The work of the BDA plays a key role in promoting this "new spirit" for entrepreneurship and initiating the development of the necessary political framework conditions.

▪ MORE sustainability: While striving for a positive development of the German economy, it is also important to keep an eye on our planetary boundaries and our social responsibility. In my new role, I would like to show ways towards a more sustainable and inclusive economy.

▪ MORE appreciation and reward for performance and fewer debates about envy: performance deserves the highest recognition. This is the only way we can operate sustainably and profitably at the same time. We must not rest on our laurels, but must move forward boldly in order to return to our former economic strength and new prosperity.

▪ MORE volunteering: Volunteering is invaluable and one of the pillars of our community. I am deeply convinced of this. That is why it is a matter close to my heart to strengthen volunteering in companies and make it more visible. Because when companies and volunteering go hand in hand, we create a more resilient, supportive and innovative economic landscape.

Together, we can shape a future-proof and resilient economy that respects the limits of our planet and can still prosper. I look forward to supporting this groundwork to shape a positive future!