The New Course (German: Neuer Kurs) was an economic policy that aimed to improve the standard of living, increase the availability of consumer goods and lower the price of foodstuffs by returning small businesses and farms to the private sector in East Germany (the GDR).
The Minister President described the need to rehabilitate many social programs; including the distribution of ration cards, methods of tax collection amongst others.
[1][2] There were three major thrusts of the new course: improvement of consumer goods, the end of terror, and a relaxation of ideological standards.
On July 2 President Wilhelm Pieck explained the new policy, inaugurated on June 9, as one designed to raise the standard of living and bring about a rapprochement of the two parts of Germany.
He estimated its cost at two billion marks, to be covered by cutting the heavy industries and defense programs.