An integrated industrial policy for the globalisation era: putting competitiveness and sustainability at centre stage
ECOS-V/010
An integrated industrial policy for the globalisation era: putting competitiveness and sustainability at centre stage
THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS
- stresses that the success of a new European industrial policy depends on effective polices in areas such as economic conditions and governance, competitiveness, the structure of the financial sector and its investments, innovation and research, energy and resources, the digital agenda, new qualifications and jobs, etc;
- highlights the fact that in the process of transforming European industry, greater flexibility should be given to businesses in their employment strategies in return for adequate protection that provides income security for workers in sectors that are likely to be affected by the changes, and options for re-employment should be provided, as should re-training and support for self-employment. Lifelong learning during employment is key to ensuring a high level of employability of workers and minimising the time spent in unemployment as well as providing businesses with a new pool of skills to adapt rapidly to changes in the market. Local and regional governments have an important role to play in coordinating these actions. In addition, the European Globalisation Fund needs to be put to better use on these issues;
- advocates a greater role for the EU's local and regional authorities in shaping and implementing the Europe 2020 Strategy and in achieving the objectives set out in the communication. Reiterates the fact that the EU's local and regional authorities play a key role in boosting industrial policy and economic development, given their position on the ground and their grassroots knowledge of the structure of industry and the problems affecting businesses;
- invites the Member States and local and regional authorities to establish territorial pacts at national level to jointly formulate and implement the National Reform Programmes (NRP) and evaluate their progress together. This should coordinate and focus their efforts and political agendas on the Europe 2020 Strategy objectives and have a major impact on achieving these objectives.
- stresses that the success of a new European industrial policy depends on effective polices in areas such as economic conditions and governance, competitiveness, the structure of the financial sector and its investments, innovation and research, energy and resources, the digital agenda, new qualifications and jobs, etc;
- highlights the fact that in the process of transforming European industry, greater flexibility should be given to businesses in their employment strategies in return for adequate protection that provides income security for workers in sectors that are likely to be affected by the changes, and options for re-employment should be provided, as should re-training and support for self-employment. Lifelong learning during employment is key to ensuring a high level of employability of workers and minimising the time spent in unemployment as well as providing businesses with a new pool of skills to adapt rapidly to changes in the market. Local and regional governments have an important role to play in coordinating these actions. In addition, the European Globalisation Fund needs to be put to better use on these issues;
- advocates a greater role for the EU's local and regional authorities in shaping and implementing the Europe 2020 Strategy and in achieving the objectives set out in the communication. Reiterates the fact that the EU's local and regional authorities play a key role in boosting industrial policy and economic development, given their position on the ground and their grassroots knowledge of the structure of industry and the problems affecting businesses;
- invites the Member States and local and regional authorities to establish territorial pacts at national level to jointly formulate and implement the National Reform Programmes (NRP) and evaluate their progress together. This should coordinate and focus their efforts and political agendas on the Europe 2020 Strategy objectives and have a major impact on achieving these objectives.
