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Although EU leads in energy efficiency and foreign
investment, Industrial performance across Member States is not balanced
Today the European Commission released a substantial set of
proposals to boost industry. It consists of the following three documents:
an Industry Communication calling for short term focussed
investment in key industry sectors with high growth prospects;
the 2012 Scoreboard on the Member States industrial
competitiveness performance;
and also the 2012 European Competitiveness Report, which
identifies opportunities to make European industries more competitive.
ccording to the scoreboard, several Member States have made
good progress in strengthening industry's sustainability, improving support to
small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and reforming public administration.
The scoreboard highlights a continued shift towards a more
knowledge-based economy, with increased labour productivity and highly-skilled
labour.
Most of the countries have engaged in reforms to improve
business prospects and strengthen their competitiveness.
However, convergence between more and less innovative
countries seems to have slowed down in recent years. The innovation gap between
Member States risks widening due to the different ways they have responded to
the economic crisis.
Significant challenges remain in promoting private research
and enhancing competition in network industries (energy, telecommunication, and
transport).
Access to finance has worsened in the majority of Member
States, particularly for SMEs.
The annual European Competitiveness Report is designed to
contribute to the analysis underpinning the EU's promotion of competitiveness.
Among its key finding, the drop in domestic demand which
cannot be fully offset by demand from third counties, the EU leadership in
Energy efficiency and in capacity to attract foreign direct investment.
European Commission
Vice President Antonio Tajani, Commissioner for Industry and
Entrepreneurship, said:
"Today's 2012 Competitiveness Reports highlight the strengths
and weaknesses of Europe's industry.
I urge Member State to continue the process of reforms in
order to further improve their industrial competitiveness and redress imbalances
across different regions."