Spain, France, Germany and Poland lead a new push for European industrial policy

Meeting of the 6th Conference of Friends of the Industry

The Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, Reyes Maroto, has pointed out that "Spain has returned to Europe and wants to promote a more active and 21st century industrial policy."

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The Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, Reyes Maroto, has signed in Paris, the Friends of the Industry statement that claims the industry as a key driver for European economic growth and generation of quality employment.

 

Minister Maroto proposed at the meeting a series of measures that are already being implemented in Spain , and which are part of the Spain Industrial 2030 plan , such as, for example, support for the digitalization of companies, especially SMEs , rejuvenation of the workforce, access to financing and promoting sustainability.

 

 

 

During the Conference, which was attended by the ministers of Spain, France, Germany and Poland, the challenges facing the European industrial sector were discussed.

 

 

 

The 25 participating countries demanded that the future Commission, which will emerge after the May elections, commit to defining a more ambitious industrial policy that will allow Europe to increase the weight of its industry. The minister stated that “Europe must prioritize industrial policy at the same level as energy, trade, and climate change policies. Otherwise, there is a risk of losing competitiveness and jobs.”

 

The document signed in Paris establishes the following objectives:

 

Identify strategic industrial sectors , prioritizing those that will increase competitiveness, combat climate change, and foster technological development. Priority sectors would include electric batteries, connected vehicles, semiconductors, cybersecurity, supercomputers, robotics, low-carbon industrial processes, and the renovation and construction of net-zero energy buildings.

 

Mobilize European policies , both financial and regulatory, that contribute to industrial competitiveness and develop specific action plans in each of the identified strategic value chains.

 

Strengthen the role of the Competitiveness Council to make it a truly cross-cutting body dedicated to directing European policies.

 

To comply with these objectives, the 25 signatory countries of the agreement have committed to present measures to strengthen the European industrial sector and increase its international competitiveness.

 

These measures include: Modifying State Aid regulations to increase investment in innovation; Support disruptive innovation;

 

Improve competition policies; Promote electric vehicles and strengthen European leadership in artificial intelligence.

 

During her speech, Minister Reyes Maroto emphasized Spain's commitment to contributing concrete proposals so that the future European Commission can adopt these strategic objectives.