On Tuesday 16 January, the Council of the EU working party on competitiveness and growth will discuss the conclusions drafted by the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council for the forthcoming Competitiveness Council in which the Commission is called on to prepare a full, long-term industrial strategy and a joint action plan at all levels of governance.
The six-page provisional document prepares the conclusions of the Competitiveness Council of 12 and 13 March. Its content reflects the calls made by the member states (see EUROPE 11916 and 11910) following presentation by the European Commission of its “revisited” strategy in September (see EUROPE 11861) that failed to go far enough for a number of delegations.
The text calls for a full industrial policy to be put in place, drawing greatest benefit from the energy transition and the circular economy. The Council thus calls on the Commission to begin consultation with the member states and the various players to determine possible goals by 2030. The text also calls on the Commission to draft a joint action plan to coordinate measures at European, national and regional levels.
The provisional conclusions speak of a range of areas where business innovation needs to be supported: the internet of things, artificial intelligence, connected and stand-alone systems, 5G, 3D printing, standardisation and cybersecurity. The document underlines the importance of increasing data storage capacity and raising cybersecurity and data protection levels.
The provisional conclusions stress the importance of a European framework tailored so as to connect research, innovation and economic circles. Elsewhere, the document lays emphasis on public-private partnerships and important projects of common European interest (IPCEIs).
The Bulgarian Presidency has made industrial policy one of its priorities and has included its plans to put in place a “common industrial policy” (CIP) in its work programme (see EUROPE 11934). (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)