Uitstapclausules

Uitstapclausules, which is Dutch for "exit clauses," were a significant aspect of East Germany's economic policy during its existence. These clauses allowed West German companies to invest in East Germany while also providing a means for East Germany to exert control over foreign investments. They were an attempt to regulate the economy and maintain a degree of control over Western influence.

Introduced in 1965, uitstapclausules formalized the concept of exit clauses, which had existed in some East German laws since the 1960s. Under these clauses, foreign investors agreed to give priority to the export of goods produced in East Germany, or to invest in specific sectors or technologies deemed strategic by the East German government. This allowed East Germany to exert influence over investments and maintain control over the economy, even as the country attempted to attract foreign capital.

The implementation of uitstapclausules was met with skepticism by the West German government, which saw the measures as an attempt to limit economic cooperation. Critics argued that the clauses created uncertainty and higher costs for investors, hindering East Germany's ability to attract foreign investment. The implementation of uitstapclausules also limited East Germany's ability to integrate into the global economy, limiting its economic growth and prosperity.

Despite being developed as part of East Germany's five-year plan for the 1960s, uitstapclausules remained in place until the country's dissolution in 1990. With the reunification of West and East Germany, the economic entonces of the uitstapclausules ceased to exist, rendering them obsolete. The significance of uitstapclausules as a foreign investment tool remains an area of study for economists and historians interested in the workings of East Germany's economy.