Shifting gears for a new industrial policy

On 26 February, the Alliance for a Competitive European Industry (ACEIⁱ), of which CEMBUREAU is a member, called for a new industrial partnership between the EU and its major industries. In its Manifesto, entitled “Shifting Gears for a New Industrial Policy”, the ACEI stresses what needs to be done so that manufacturing industry can remain one of the engines of the economy. The presentation came ahead of the meeting of the Competitiveness Council on 1-2 March on industrial policy.

Europe needs a vibrant manufacturing industry to spark the economic recovery, innovation and growth required to meet the societal and environmental challenges which lie ahead. Manufacturing provides a fifth of EU GDP and provides three quarters of EU exports. Over 80% of the EU private sector research and development expenditures are provided by industry. Manufacturing firms are also key clients of many services activities. Many of the services jobs in the EU would be lost without a strong industrial base.

The Manifesto gives an overview of the priority actions to be taken to achieve a competitive and innovative industrial base.

To achieve this, the ACEI has identified 6 priority areas:

• Partnership: EU institutions and the private sector can and must work more closely to secure the future of Europe’s industrial base.
• Growth: we need to establish the right mix of fiscal, monetary and financial policies to re-invigorate economic dynamism, while ensuring that European industry comes out of the economic crisis more competitive and innovative than before.
• Balance: Europe must take a fully integrated approach to industrial policy by carefully balancing essential climate, energy and competitiveness factors.
• Innovation: growth, industrial leadership and sustainability require one key ingredient: innovation. The EU must therefore establish and all-encompassing R&D and innovation strategy for Europe.
• Markets: the EU must ensure access to world markets and to raw materials by aiming to open export markets while maintaining effective trade defence instruments.
• Skills: manufacturing industry must foster and attract new generations of highly skilled and creative workers.

“Europe’s place in the world of 2025 will be radically different from that of today. The EU institutions share the European industry goal of remaining a world leader. They must work together to ensure that growth and jobs are created in Europe,” stated Teresa Presas, Chair of the Alliance and CEPI Managing Director. Philippe de Buck, Co-Chair of the Alliance and BUSINESSEUROPE Director General, added: “The EU badly needs an integrated industrial policy. We are calling on Commissioner Tajani, the Competitiveness Council and the European Parliament to tackle EU industrial policy forcefully and thoroughly. This is crucial. It will determine where our manufacturing companies invest in the jobs of tomorrow”.

The manifesto can be downloaded from here: http://www.cembureau.eu/shifting-gears-new-eu-industrial-partnershi