Find out why Europe needs first and foremost an integrated strategy for its industry.

On 30 June 2017, BusinessEurope published its views on a renewed EU industrial strategy. The European Council, the European Parliament and the EU Competitiveness Council – all of them – want the European Commission to show more action now. Our new report reflects these calls and provides substance to the debate.

Markus J. Beyrer, Director General of BusinessEurope, said: “We must define ambitious strategic objectives for the industry for the year 2030 urgently. Only a strong European industry will guarantee a robust European economy. The EU should renew its entire industrial strategy – now – to stop Europe’s persistent competitiveness shortfall identified in the last years. Fast technological progress, fast-changing political and economic developments at global level, increased protectionism and the emergence of different national industrial policies are a reality today. Europe must support its industry, but not by becoming inward-looking. An integrated EU industrial strategy should be our answer to these challenges for society and industry. It will also help us creating a more cohesive society within the European Union.”

BusinessEurope’s report shows that ‘mainstreaming of industrial competitiveness’ at EU level is not a reality yet. It provides concrete policy recommendations for short-term actions as regards EU governance.and it provides recommendations for key policy areas. It also calls for the new strategy to build a long-term vision for industry in Europe that allows seizing the opportunities in the macro trends that can be identified already today in several fields including energy, circular economy, digitisation, urbanisation, and to understand their impact. A pre-requisite is the definition of ambitious strategic objectives for industry and linked services for 2030.

Markus J. Beyrer at the Informal Competitiveness Council in Sofia

The informal meeting of the EU ministers responsible for competitiveness takes place today in Sofia under the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union. An industrial strategy for Europe is among the key topics discussed.

BusinessEurope Director General Markus J. Beyrer, invited to speak at the meeting, underlined: “We must put industrial policy high on the political agenda in the coming months and keep up the pace of the progress achieved in the last months. One of the key points that still needs a thorough reflexion is the long-term vision for the EU’s industry. A key objective of a revised industrial strategy must be to ensure the EU policy can steer positive change and have the tools to handle difficult challenges ahead, be it job changes due to technological development, the effects of an ageing population, or the energy transition.”

Earlier in January, BusinessEurope President Emma Marcegaglia and Director General Markus J. Beyrer sent a letter to the Prime Minister of Bulgaria, Boyko Borissov with BusinessEurope’s priorities for the Bulgarian EU Presidency. The Presidency should take full advantage of the current momentum to move forward with discussions that will sustain a strong European Union in the years ahead. Key priorities to make progress on are the Economic and Monetary Union, the next Multiannual Financial Framework and maintaining a high profile for an EU industrial strategy. The EU must also continue developing our European Single Market in line with the Leaders’ Agenda and promoting an ambitious trade policy.