Ulla Sirkeinen Member of the EESC 12.11.2014 European industries and the ongoing process of change: What challenges and opportunities? Ulla Sirkeinen Member of the EESC 12.11.2014
Challenges Secure growth and jobs Convince business to invest in the EU Favourable and predictable environment for business Green economy Stimulate, finance innovation EU: Mainstream policy areas MS: Ensure soft and hard infrastructure
Challenges (2) Role of services Reduce energy costs International value chains 20% target? Unfinished work, implementation
Opportunities Capture value added for 20% target Greening as business and competitive feature More new tech, knowledge based, high value added Key positions in global value chains Services as productivity drivers and in own right
Opportunities (2) To drive innovation: healthy competition Concentrate R&D finance to six cross-cutting areas + big data, robotics, 3-D printing etc. Enhance regional initiatives Include all players – employers, employees + Renew EU governance structures: leadership, mainstreaming, competitiveness scrutiny.