Brussels, 11/06/2012 (Agence Europe) - Promised for the autumn, the strategy of Commissioner Antonio Tajani for the competitiveness of the construction sector up to 2020 will particularly target the potential of low-energy consumption buildings.
The 2012 annual congress of the European Construction Industry Federation (FIEC/ECIF), which was held in Istanbul on Monday 11 June, gave Industry Commissioner Antonio Tajani the opportunity to unveil the outlines of a strategy he will present after the summer to improve the competitiveness of the construction sector, which accounts for 6.3% of EU GDP, rising to 10% if producers of construction products, architects, engineers and other players are included, and which generates 20 million jobs, mainly in micro and small businesses. Taking the view that the performance of the sector could significantly influence the development of a European economy seeking growth and jobs, notably because the energy performance of buildings and the efficiency of resources in the manufacturing sector, transport and the use of products for the construction of buildings and infrastructure have an important impact on the standard of living of European citizens, the European executive wishes to lay the foundations for a strategy for the coming decade. This strategy could respond to a number of challenges currently facing the European construction sector, such as the introduction of zero-energy buildings (in other words ones which produce as much energy as they use), which is an objective of the revised directive on the energy performance of buildings, efforts in the field of energy efficiency and the integration of renewable energy, but also the bursting of the property bubble in certain member states, the fall in demand on the private residential market and infrastructure, and the shrinking of the credit market and constant need for qualified labour.
Commissioner Tajani's strategy will be based first and foremost on improving the conditions for investment, particularly in the renovation and maintenance of buildings and infrastructure, by promoting financial instruments such as loan guarantees and bonds, and incentives at national level, such as reducing the VAT rate. The stimulation of innovation in the construction sector and improving workers' qualifications by promoting mobility and the movement of information on study programmes, the employment market and employers' needs constitute the second pillar of the strategy. Thirdly, the European executive wishes to lay emphasis on improving the efficiency of resources and environmental performance, and promoting the mutual recognition of the development of sustainable construction systems within the EU. The Commission is also planning to draft standard practice conception codes for construction companies, in order to facilitate their activities in other member states. Lastly, the European executive wishes to promote the global position of European construction companies to boost their performance and sustainable standards in third countries. (EH/transl.fl)