To make the political case for a European industrial policy strategy that includes a strong territorial dimension
To contribute to the shaping of a European strategy for industrial modernisation that includes a strong territorial dimension and addresses the needs and opportunities at regional and local levels
THE EUROPEAN COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS
welcomes the Communication as an important step and calls on the Commission to develop an ambitious industrial policy strategy that responds to industrial competitiveness in a global context and which is shaped and further developed to focus on 2030 and beyond;
urges that a strong territorial dimension be included in this strategy;
calls for a horizontal strategy as well as for targeted, sector-specific measures. The strategy should place particular emphasis on innovation, KETs, IPCEIs, digitalisation, and SMEs;
underlines that industry is vitally important for regions and its future competitiveness is crucial for balanced and sustainable development;
supports the strategic objective of industry making up 20% of EU GDP;
calls for a level playing field in European and global competition, also for the sake of technologies which are strategically important for Europe;
calls on the Commission to enshrine the leading role of European industry as a goal in the ninth Framework Programme for Research and Innovation;
shares the view that Europe's leadership in a low-carbon and circular economy should be stepped up; agrees that the development and manufacture of energy storage systems is vitally important for this;
underlines the centrality of regions and regional ecosystems to industrial modernisation and calls for a place-based approach to industrial policy.