Competitiveness is now at the top of the EU agenda, and it is high time to move from analysis to concrete action. This is the message of the 19 European business organisations within the Europe Unlocked coalition in its recently launched call to action to EU leaders. “It is essential that we now define the competitiveness concept in the appropriate way”, says Jacob Wallenberg, Chairman of the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise.
A fully functioning single market, an open European digital economy, and a reduction in bureaucracy and regulatory burdens within the EU—these are some of the demands as the Europe Unlocked coalition calls on EU leaders to move from words to action on the competitiveness issue.
The 19 business organisations behind Europe Unlocked have identified 14 essential steps to boost EU competitiveness, which they highlight in a “call to action” addressed to EU leaders.
– We need clarity of vision in the discussion on competitiveness, which is why we are coming together today to put forward our preferred policy program to achieve a faster-growing and productive economy, says Kieran O’Keeffe, Executive Director of Europe Unlocked, in a statement.
EU competitiveness has come to the fore in EU policy discussions. It was designated as a top priority in the strategic agenda of EU leaders this summer and emphasised when Ursula von der Leyen outlined her political guidelines for the new mandate. Competitiveness was also the focal theme in Mario Draghi’s recent report and to a considerable extent also in Enrico Letta’s report on the future of the single market, published earlier this year.
The elevation of competitiveness on the EU agenda is welcomed by the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise, which initiated and sponsors Europe Unlocked.
– I welcome Mario Draghi’s report on the need to strengthen Europe’s competitiveness—as well as his emphasis on Europe’s need to invest in new technology, the green transition, and more research, development, and innovation. To advance this work, politics and business need to work together. It is essential that we now define the competitiveness concept in the appropriate way. The EU needs to adapt to the new global reality while building on our strengths—a well-functioning single market, market-driven development, and openness to the world, says Jacob Wallenberg, Chairman of the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise.
– This is also why we launched Europe Unlocked, with new, broad alliances across Europe. This means highlighting the importance of long-term competitiveness and growth based on openness and trade with the world, he continues.
Although most agree that EU competitiveness needs strengthening, opinions vary on how to achieve it. While some advocate trade barriers and state interventions, Europe Unlocked’s members argue that increased productivity will depend on our ability to build on Europe’s historical strengths. They point to openness to the world and a single market that is attractive to both European and non-European businesses.
– The single market is, of course, in focus. A year ago, Europe Unlocked sent an ’SOS’ to the European Commission—Strengthen Our Single Market—as a call to prioritise the single market. As EU leaders are soon to meet in Budapest to outline the next steps on EU competitiveness, it is essential that they affirm that the single market must not only be safeguarded but also developed and strengthened going forward.
The new European Commission is currently being formed and will release a new work programme in January. In November, EU heads of state and government will gather in Budapest to discuss a new push for competitiveness. In other words, there are a lot of opportunities to take concrete steps forward to boost competitiveness.
Europe Unlocked’s recommendations are based on the importance of strengthening EU competitiveness through openness and competitive markets. They focus on areas including the single market, international trade, the green transition, digitalisation, better regulation, and skills.
– In an uncertain geopolitical environment, with an upcoming U.S. presidential election and growing global competition, Europe must find its own path. As we enter a new mandate period in the EU, with a new European Commission and a newly elected European Parliament, it is essential that Europe’s competitiveness remains high on the agenda, Jacob Wallenberg concludes.