Brussels, 27/10/2010 (Agence Europe) - Putting the economy on track for dynamic growth and strengthening the EU's competitiveness, as well as providing jobs and facilitating the transition to a low carbon energy efficient economy: these are some of the goals contained in the EU's new industrial policy as sought by the European Commission. The Commission is expected to adopt a communication on Thursday 20 October, “An Integrated Industrial Policy for the Globalisation Era, Putting Competitiveness and Sustainability at Centre Stage”. This involves one of the seven flagship initiatives underpinning the EU's decennial strategy, EUROPE 2020.
Prepared by the department of the European commissioner for industry, Antonio Tajani, a new approach to industrial policy is proposed which is characterised by: - integrating the horizontal basis with a sectoral application. All sectors (transport, energy; environmental, social and consumer policies, single market, trade policy) are important and the Commission will continue to apply a “tailor-made” approach to all sectors. Where relevant, the Commission will consider appropriate measures to inform consumers and promote industrial excellence in given sectors; - coordinated, European policy responses. The division of labour across the whole globe is intensifying and the concepts of national sectors or industries with little interaction with other sectors or the rest of the world are becoming less relevant; -the whole value and supply chain must be considered (from access to energy and raw materials to after-sale services and the recycling of materials). Some parts of this chain are bound to be outside Europe, hence it is necessary for all industries to have a “globalisation reflex”; - the Commission will regularly report on the EU's and member states' competitiveness and industrial policies and performance.
Improving conditions for industry. The Commission considers that effort still needs to be made with regard to smart regulation (analysis of the effects on competitiveness of all the important proposals that have a significant impact on industry, a review of the Small Business Act in order to continue to improve the business environment for SMEs and to tackle new subjects such as access to the eco-market and eco-innovation, as well as cooperation between companies and internationalisation).
Improving access to finance. The Commission advocates greater mobilisation of private capital to assist productive investment, particularly through the venture capital markets. The Commission is looking at new solutions to take into account the deterioration of public finances in many member states, such as “systems co-financed through regional policy and the common agricultural policy”.
Strengthening the single market. The single market should also be strengthened, in order to make the best of all the opportunities it provides, particularly by way of improvements to the European copyright system or strengthening the fight against counterfeiting and industrial piracy. The Commission also intends to draw up a multi-annual EU action plan to develop EU market surveillance, improve infrastructure and speed up the standardisation process. In 2011, the Commission will propose a new initiative on social and corporate responsibility.
Innovation. In 2011, the Commission is committed to presenting a new strategy for globally competitive clusters and networks including specific action to promote globally competitive clusters and networks in both traditional and emerging industries. It will also launch an initiative to promote the wide and timely deployment, take-up and commercialisation of competitive key enabling technologies, and will encourage manufacturing technologies, building on the “Factories for the Future” initiative.
Trade and international regulation. The Commission is announcing that it will send the European Council an annual report this spring on barriers to trade and investment. The Commission also intends to step up ties between the EU and its partners, particularly those between the Union for the Mediterranean and the Eastern Partnership.
Modernisation and industry. The Commission is proposing measures to stimulate investment and help the transition towards a low carbon energy efficient economy. The Commission will launch an eco-innovation action plan. It is highlighting the need to proceed with the necessary adjustments, following the economic crisis (surplus capacity in certain industries). In this context, it will be necessary to revise (in 2012) guidelines on state aid for saving industries from going under and restructuring them. The Commission is also proposing to support countries and regions by way of cohesion policy aimed at promoting industrial diversification.
In 2011, the Commission will propose measures for implementing space policy priorities.
Finally, objectives are planned for measuring success in this new industrial policy: industrial competitiveness of industry is expected to improve by 1% a year; 5 million new jobs are expected to be created in industry and in the services sector, linked to enterprise by 2020 (including 3 million in SMEs; manufacturing production is expected to increase by 2.5% a year; manufacturing exports are due to increase by 5%, two thirds of which will come from the hi-tech sectors).
In presenting this communication, Antonio Tajani is expected to state that “industry is at the heart of Europe and is indispensable for finding solutions to the challenges of our society. Europe needs industry and industry needs Europe”. (L.C./transl.fl)