Whilst the economic and financial crisis shifted the focus of industrial competitiveness policies towards short-term rescue and recovery actions, in the future the attention of policy makers has to focus on long-term structural challenges, in particular maintaining global competitiveness, climate change, energy, population ageing, skills, and knowledge. Europe needs new ideas to boost its growth potential. Industrial innovation is one of the key drivers to improve competitiveness. This is why the Commission has launched a new public consultation, which is meant to provide input for the mid-term review of the industrial policy communication planned for September 2012.

The main objectives of the consultation are to discuss what policy priorities the European Commission should focus on and to gather recommendations from stakeholders on how to boost competitiveness of European industries. The review will contain a comprehensive progress report on the implementation of this strategy and its reinforcement. Some of the issues covered by the consultation are the following: SME-friendly business environment and entrepreneurship, access to finance and risk capital, industrial innovation and technologies policy, skills, restructuring and structural change, improving the single market, ICT, internet and cross-border sales, better and more consistent regulation, energy infrastructure and competition, internal transport market, etc.

All citizens and organisations are welcome to contribute to this consultation. Contributions are particularly sought from businesses and industrial organisations, as well as Member States and regional administrations. The public consultation runs until 7August 2012.

More information:
http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/policies/industrial-competitiveness/industrial-policy/consultations/index_en.htm