The Minister of Industry defended before the Competitiveness Council the need for specific instruments for key sectors such as steel, automotive and chemical, advocating for "open strategic autonomy" and the reduction of administrative burdens for SMEs.
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The Minister of Industry and Tourism, Jordi Hereu, has demanded in the Competitiveness Council (COMPET) held in Brussels, the deployment of a European Competitiveness Fund that acts as a centralized instrument to ensure reindustrialization. During the session, Spain advocated for an ecological transition supported by agile financing and regulatory simplification that places SMEs at the heart of the European economic strategy.
Defense of energy-intensive industries and strategic autonomy
The agenda in Brussels has begun with the participation of hereus at the fourth meeting of the Alliance for the Energy-Intensive IndustryThe meeting, chaired this time by Italy, addressed the new [issues/projects]. RESourceEU Action Planfocusing attention on the availability of scrap metal in Europe, a vital resource for industrial sustainability.
In this forum, the minister positively assessed European leadership in ensuring the strategic autonomy in critical raw materials, although he has qualified the need for this to be a "open strategic autonomy".
For the first time within the framework of COMPETItaly, on behalf of Spain, France, and Poland, presented the conclusions of this Alliance. A report on the Berlin Declaration, signed on November 3rd by seventeen countries, including Spain. This document establishes urgent measures to address global challenges:
- Improving the productivity and competitiveness of European industry.
- Reduction of bureaucracy and administrative burdens.
- Mitigation of the increase in energy costs.
- Response to fierce global competition and trade tensions.
A Competitiveness Fund for key sectors
One of the key points of the intervention of Jordi Hereu It has been the debate about the future European Competitiveness FundThe minister has been emphatic in requesting that this new mechanism offer firm support to EU industry, suggesting the creation of specific instruments for key sectors.
The priorities advocated by the Ministry regarding this fund and industrial policy are detailed below:
| Strategic Axis | Objectives and Demands of Spain |
|---|---|
| Target Sectors | Steel, automotive and chemical industry. |
| Finance | It must be agile and maintain the investment effort initiated with the funds. Next Generation. |
| Purpose: | Facilitating the ecological transition and industrial decarbonization. |
Administrative simplification and the Internal Market
During the debate on the General annual report on simplification presented by the European Commission, hereus He has urged institutions to be ambitious, stressing that "At the heart of simplification policies we must put European businesses, SMEs and citizens".
As to Interior marketThe debate has focused on the challenges of e-commerce in the European UnionSpain supports a modernization strategy based on the elimination of administrative barriers and legislative simplification, elements considered essential to boost the competitiveness of companies in the digital environment.
Finally, the day included a bilateral meeting between Jordi Hereu and the new French Minister of Industry, Sebastien Martinwith the aim of sharing visions on future policies of European local content.
Key points and frequently asked questions about Spain's industrial position in the EU
What is Spain requesting regarding the European Competitiveness Fund?
The minister Jordi Hereu It argues that it should be a centralized instrument that ensures reindustrialization, with agile financing and specific support for critical sectors such as steel, automotive and chemical, continuing the path of the Next Generation.
What is the Berlin Declaration mentioned in the Council?
It is a document signed by seventeen countries, including Spain, which includes measures to strengthen European industry in the face of challenges such as high energy costs, excessive bureaucracy, climate change and global competition.
What is the position on regulatory simplification?
Spain advocates for a "simpler and faster Europe". hereus It argues that regulatory improvement must be continuous and place SMEs and citizens at the center to eliminate administrative barriers that hinder competitiveness.
