Orgalime/CEEMET Joint Statement for the June 2013 European Council

The June European Council is set to pave the way on how to move forward to achieve the 20% of GDP industrial share target, proclaimed by the Commission Communication 'A Stronger European Industry for Growth and Economic Recovery'. Europe must become more competitive.  We believe that the results of this European Council must be to outline a programme which will lead to attracting companies to invest more in Europe, to build the factories of the future and thereby create new jobs here in Europe.  The focus of the European Council must therefore be on making industrial policy the core policy of the EU rather than one of a string of what have turned out to be failing policies, which have progressively undermined the will and capacity of manufacturing companies to invest in the EU.

CEEMET and Orgalime believe that our industrial sector, which represents the largest manufacturing sector in Europe, with over 200,000 companies and an annual turnover of more than €2,700 billion, directly employing 13 million people, is at the heart of the transition towards a stronger and greener European economy through the technologies, equipment and systems which our companies produce for their clients in all sectors of the economy.

While we have published a manifesto covering all policy areas, for us, the key issues which need to be dealt with to attract more manufacturing investment to Europe are:

• An investment friendly and predictable regulatory framework in Europe
• Less and better regulation
• Ensuring competitive labour markets