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GOVERNMENT TO REVIVE AEROSPACE RESEARCH FUNDS?

Time will show. The German government, the state ministries and the German aerospace industry are finally talking again about the country's aerospace research program. While this is no reason to get enthusiastic yet, it is at least an indication that the politicians in Germany are beginning to realise the importance of the aerospace industry as one of the nation's high-tech spearhead - an asset that is vital if the country wants to stay a global player in the international concert of the economically leading nations. The aerospace industry is, without fail, not the only decisive factor in this market but it certainly pays its tribute.

Gustav Humbert, the President of the German Aerospace Industry Association (BDLI) and head of Dasa Airbus, did not have to explain this when he met with the representatives from the states of Bavaria and Bremen, along with Siegmar Mosdorf, the German government's aerospace co-ordinator, at the beginning of August to assess the current situation.

The Bavarian state minister, Dr. Otto Wiesheu, and the head of Bremen, Henning Scherf, are aware of the aerospace industry's technological key role. However, representing all the other German states, the two politicians stressed that they don't want to be forced by the German federal government when the financial support of this industry branch is concerned. Their point is that there should be no obligation for a mandatory mutual funding between the government and the states.

While the states are willing to support the German aerospace research program, the responsible politicians think that this should not be achieved by a mandatory co-financing, also saying that the state quota of DM240 million, which was assigned by the government, is not acceptable. The states are asking for a certain amount of homogeneity, meaning a distribution of the funds according to the priorities of the projects. The states are ligitimate when they insist on their rights to control the allotment of their own investments into the future.

To date, the Ministry of Economics has received applications from the industry for financial research aids amounting to DM900 million. Three of these applications in the amount of DM150 million could be admitted and the funds could be granted this year. The ministry has already signalled to agree if the Minister of Finance does too. Reportedly this will be decided until October. There is time until then to unite the states in their plans to further the aerospace industry. Bremen, Bavaria and Hamburg, with DM25,1 million, DM70,6 million and DM20,5 million respectively, are obviously willing to talk, while, according to branch insiders, there is a considerable need for further consultations in Lower Saxony (DM13,2 million) and Baden-Württemberg (DM18,3 million). Also, the participation of Hessen (DM11,9 million) and Brandenburg (DM15,9 million) is not yet clear. The funding of the remaining states is negligible.

Things are moving again. The German aerospace industry is still on the political agenda. Enough for cautious optimism? Certainly, but not for more.

From page 4 of FLUG REVUE 10/99