EAST GERMAN ECONOMIC PLAN FOR 1949

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00809A000700260104-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 7
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 7, 2011
• Sequence Number: 104
• Publication Date: October 31, 1956
• Content Type: REPORT

Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/07/07 :CIA-RDP80-00809A000700260104-6
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2011/07/07 :CIA-RDP80-00809A000700260104-6
 Sanitized Copy Approved
EAST GERMAN ECONOMIC PLAN FOR 1949
Neues Deutschland
Berlin, 3 Apr 1949
In its plenary session of 30 March 1949, the German Economic Commission ap-
proved the following goals for the 1949 Economic Plan.
Industry
Gross industrial production in the GDR (German Democratic Republic) is to be
16 percent greater in 1949 than in 1948.
Economic conditions of 1949 are dependent primarily on increased domestic
production and improved quality; increased supplies of raw and other materials;
increased trade with other countries, especially with the Soviet Union and the
People's Democracies; a better utilization of eriating production installations;
large-scale investments for expansion of existing and construction of new prate
ducti~ installations; a better supply of consumer goods; and increased labor pro-
ductivity urd :,n -xpanded activist movement.
During 1949, production in the various branches of Sndustry is scheduled to
rise as follows:
Production Increase
Industry Over 1948 (in ~)
Mining 9.0
Metallurgy 45.0
Machine building 20.4
Electrical engineering 25.1
Precision mech:~rics/cptics 21.1
Chemical 20.1
Stone, ceramics, and glass 16.4
Woodworking and cultural goods ~,9
Textiles 11.1
Leather, shoes, fora, and ready- 15.9
to-wear clothing
Cellulose, paper, and printing 47.1
Food, beverages, and tobacco 14.8
Raw wc,od, tanning bark, and resin 81.4
Electric power and gas ~ 1
~riculture and Forestry
The agricultural plan for 1949 calla for expansion of the total cultivated
arcs, increased per-hectare yields, improved quality of seeds, higher livestock
population, and an increase in the quantity of animal products available for con-
sumption.
The average yields of the most important agricultural crops, such ae grains,
potatoes, sugar beets, oleoginoua 8?edsandfiber plantar are to be increased by at
least 10 percent over those of 1y48.
The total area under cultivation will be expanded by abput 31,000 hectares
by harvest time of 1949. Crops are to be distributed in the cultivated area ae
follows:
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The 1948-49 planting plan stresses the expansion of winter planting, partic -
ularly that of oil seeds.
Special preference Ls to be given to the production of seeds for oleaginous.
plants, fiber plants, sugar beets, fodder root crops, and grass.
For the 1949-50 pericd a^ additional 5,000 hectares of land are to be cul-
tivated.
agrlculturaliland are etoobetdraiaedkaad irrigatedaini1949 1 57,500 hectares of
In the field of animal husbandry, a maximum increase ie to be achieved,
especially with regard to quick-growing animals (pigs), By the end of 1949,
the animal population must be expanded ae follows (figures Por 1948 are given
for comparison; Pigurea are in 1,000 head);
Animals
28
1~4~
Cattle
66b.8
,
690
2,879.4
s vs
6
233
1
3,180
Pig
Shee
.
,
2,616:2
1,330
000
3
p
723:3
,
894
The increase in pig production is designed to contribute fat and meat to
the food supply and to reduce the extent of slaughtering of the slower-growing
cattle herds,
Agriculture i.s to receive more machines and fertilizer in 1949, Apart prom
the import oY tractors, machines, and materials Prom the Soviet Union, 500 domes-
tically produced tractors are to be distributed among farmers.
59.6 million'DM areuio belpr?ducedsinethepGDRt~ The numb reofatract ravin A}l3ais
to be increased by 1,500 in 1949.
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Agricultural construction activity during 1949 will supply 28,150 homes,
27,250 stables, and 17,500.barna, or a total oP 72,900 building units through
new construction, expansion, or remodeling.
In the field oP forestry, the felling oP 13 million cubic meters of raw
timber is scheduled for 1949, compared with 17,115,000 is 1948. In 1949,
14,310,000 cubic meters of timber will be hauled Prom the forests, compared
with 18,802,000 in 1948.
Reforestation is 1949 is to be double that of the proceeding year, and is
to extend over 40,000 hectares. Preference is to be given to regions suitable
for the planting of quick-growing trees and to those where reforestation could
exercise a favorable influence oa climate and the water supply.
Traaenortation
Zn accordance with the transportation requirements oP the econon tb~ expansion of theaters in Berlin and in other large cities.
Aho. :nns-'-derable funds will be provided for new buildings sad for the
reconstruction of sch~ols?for the construction oP polyclinics and rural diepen-
eariea and the ~ecoastruttion of hospitals and convalescent homeg and for 1'aad
sad bridge b.;.flding.
Resident:sl bu_ldiug and urban reconatructioa -- in the field of re~iden-
tial buildrag, the ~onatruction.of 5,000 new apartments, of an average size of
52 square metcr~ f,n.:'~nil.ng "Nebenraeume"[utility rooms], such as kitchens, halls,
etc.), la to be car?;ed out in key industrial areas in 1949 ae follows:
No of Nev Aoartmeata
Cori ar.~ --ectric power
y
~ 1
000
Metallurg
chemical
,
1,200
Mschine construction
1,300
1, 500?
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In addition, a total of 18,500 apartments are to be obtained through res-
toration ~f war-damaged dwellings. They are to be distributed among the Laen-
der and Berlin as follows;
Mecklenburg
2,000
Brandenburg
2,500
Saxony
5,300
Sachsen ??An~ It
4, 200
Turingia
1,350
Berlin
3,500
Some 50,000 ether apartments are to be repaired and made fit for occupancy.
They are to be distributed among the Leander and Berlin sa follows:
Mecklenburg
4,000
Brandenburc
9,000
Saxony
12,000
Sachsen-Anhalt
7,000
Tuz~ngls
3,G00
Berii:
15,000
The greaten: emphases is to be placed on starting the planned reconstruc-
tion of the cries of Bcrlin, Potsdam, Leipzig, Dresden, Magdeburg, and Hismar.
In 1949, the number of hospital beds ie to be raised to 166,310 and this in-
cludes a sharp ::iac in the number of beds for tuberculosis cases. There will be
twice the number of beds in spas [es in 1948?]; the number should amount to 17,800.
The number of beds available to members of the FDGB (Free German Trade Union Aseo-
ciationl in,hea 1*_b.resorta. will be raised from 23,990 to 56,670.
During 1949, t}e number of full-time physicians in the public service is to
be increas._d by 1;123 to a total of 8,070.
Health rare in industrial enterprises is to be considerably expanded through
the establishment of about 240 aid stations and 15 additional polyclinics by the
end of 19L9,
In rural areas.. the number of community nurses and midwives is to be in-
creased by about 600.. The number of places in children's nurseries is to be
raised from 5.250 to 7,960. The number of trainees at intermediate Wareing
schools is to be brought up to 6,335? The investment plan provides for the ex-
pansion and new construction of hospitals, polyclinics, dispensaries, aid sta-
tions, nurseries, emergency stations, and welfare establishments for tubercu-
losis cases.
Culturrl D?v~lo~me~t
During 1949s the total number of schools in the GDR should amount to 13,185,
with an enrollment of about 3,712,000. Of the total number of schools, there
should be 11,257 elementary schools with an enrollment of 2,906,000. The plan
also calls for the operation of a total of 1,232 vocational trade schools, an
increase of about 400 over 1948, with an enrollment of 669,550.
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The number of specialized schools (Fachschulen) is to be lacreased by 260
and they are +.e have an enrollment of 30,990, New enzollment 1n schools in 1949
will amount to about 357,0 for elementary schools, approximately 284,000 far
vocational schools, and about 16,000 for specialized schools.. The number of
students Sn senior high schools (Oberechulen) will be about 104,700 of whom about
11,200 will graduate this year.
Of a total of 27,489 students at the 19 universities and institutes of higher
learning in the GDR, 3,290 students arc expected *.o complete their studies in 1949.
New enrollment for highez studies at the university level is to be increased to
5,400, or by about 600 over lest year,
The numbs: of popular advanced schools (Volkehochschulen) is to be expanded
by 44, to a total of 147, The number of their students is to 1nrrease from
126,500 1n 1948 to 151.100 in 1949.
Teachers colleges are to train 9,410 sew teachers, and 12,680 teachers are
expected to tAke heir first examinations and 5;975 the second examinations at
advanced teac'rer training courses,
The number of ?:hildren's nurseries is to be increased by 800 to a total oP
5,340; the numbs= of children's homes is to be expanded from 775 to 827. A total
of 272,000 ch~l3ren are to be admitted to nurseries. and special attention is to
be paid to t~.e ~;*.abl:s:anent and development of nurseries in industrial enter-
prise.e
The inves?.men? p.ian provides for the expansion of existing and the construc-
tion of ncv ui?-~crs:T,ien; institutions of higher learning, 5ChOUla., IDn6eum6, and
theaters.
Zn addtt,on c1?:bs, cultural rooms and motion picture theaters are to be es-
tablished is '_arg~ ea*.~-prises and MPS_ The system of enterprise libraries and of
,joint libraries fa- several ei.+erprl~.ee or for the whole MPS area is to be further
extended To p-om^r? physical cuitu?e and 5p0*t9, sporty equipment is to be pro-
vided; erd ;!~- nn_f.i;a`V steps should be taken t.o equip enterprise gymnasiums.
Standard of 1_it ing
The gene*a_ prnd_'_ion ?ncrease is intended to improve the quality and va-
riety of products aa3 ;s to lead eventually to gradual abolition of rationing oP
In 19.9, 1u; percent more fabric, 52 percent more shoes, 50 percent more
hosie*v. 140 o-=,.ent mor-. knitted underwear, and 45 percent more furniture than
in 1948 should be available.
The food supply wall show gradual improvement. The agricultural plan Por
1949 will en;u-c ;.';-. -~gular supply, of rations under the ration-card system, as
well sa a supply of add:tfonal foodstuffs for workers in enterprises. Free mar-
ket sale; will supplement the supply of merchandise, Imports from the Soviet
Union and the eeopie~s Democracies, as well as from other European countries,
will ovo_ceme tt- p-e~?ath ng difficulties in the fs*_-supoly situation. Although
there will be a -:^ns:i-able deficit in the supoly of meat, the nev distribution
of agricultural laa3 will gradually bring about an imp_ovement in this field,
-6-
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