Erfurt (dpa/th) – The energy crisis is becoming an ever greater stress test for Thuringian companies. A current survey of 350 companies by the Erfurt Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) shows that energy is by far (91 percent) the greatest challenge at the moment. Three quarters of the companies surveyed could no longer rule out a reduction in production or business activity, the IHK said on Thursday.

According to the information provided, the federal and state governments are calling for the introduction of an energy price cap, the reduction of bureaucratic hurdles and tax breaks. The results reflected a great impatience among businesspeople for effective action to curb skyrocketing energy prices, it said. In addition, the survey clearly shows the growing threat of the energy crisis for the business activities of the regional economy.