24 May 2024
On the 24th of May, Member States adopted Council conclusions calling for a maritime industrial strategy to improve the competitiveness of the sector.
The EU calls for a comprehensive and proactive European industrial policy framework, aligned with long-term priorities such as the transition to climate neutrality. This framework should offer more predictability, tools to attract and retain companies within the EU and promote high quality jobs, pursuing the 2030 goals through a strengthened social dialogue.
The need for a more horizontal and efficient approach in sectoral initiatives is emphasised, requiring shared efforts and cooperation between EU institutions, Member States, regional authorities and industrial ecosystems. The Commission is invited to integrate European industrial policy and competitiveness into its agenda for the next mandate, building on the European Green Deal as a driver for growth, innovation and investment.
The Commission is invited to monitor the implementation of laws, assess the impact of future legislative initiatives and apply the ‘think small first’ principle to support SMEs, which account for 99% of businesses in Europe. The importance of the EU 2020 Industrial Strategy, the Green Deal Industrial Plan and the Digital Decade Policy Programme to drive the green and digital transition is reiterated.
Finally, the need for proper implementation of initiatives such as the Chip Act, the Critical Materials Act and the Zero Emission Industry Act is underlined, confirming the relevance of the 14 industrial ecosystems of the EU Industrial Strategy. The Commission is invited to continue assessing the needs of industrial ecosystems and monitoring their development and competitiveness in the single market.