Competitiveness Council, 12/03/2018, 12 March 2018

Main results

Future of industrial policy

The Council had a discussion on industrial policy and adopted conclusions on a future EU industrial policy strategy.

The conclusions stress the urgent need for a long-term strategy for European industry in order to boost competitiveness, growth and innovation in Europe.

Our industrial policy is a strategic question for Europe – what we do now will determine where our economy and society will be in a decade. This underlines the need for us to have a broader, long-term and forward-looking approach. Recent developments have only served to confirm the need to identify strategic actions in support of European industry, to help it adapt, attract investments and create jobs. Emil Karanikolov, Minister of Economy of Bulgaria

• EU industrial policy strategy: Council adopts conclusions (press release, 12/03/2018)

Digitalisation of the economy: European semester 2018

Ministers discussed the digitalisation of the EU economy in the context of the European semester cycle.

They highlighted a number of priorities in the area of structural reform which are needed at both European and national level in order to reap the full benefits of digital transformation.

25th anniversary of the single market: the way forward

Ministers discussed the way forward to improve and deepen the single market.

In 2018 we are celebrating 25 years of the single market. During this time, much has been accomplished, and we see the many benefits which are enjoyed by people and companies across the EU. But we cannot afford to be complacent. We must work harder in order to take full advantage of the huge possibilities that the single market can still generate in terms of prosperity and welfare. Emil Karanikolov, Minister of Economy of Bulgaria

Restrictions in services markets: competitiveness check-up

Under the regular competitiveness check-up debate, ministers examined the costs resulting from undue restrictions in services markets.

These restrictions have a negative impact on the performance of manufacturing sectors which use those services, and reduce their productivity.

The removal of unnecessary restrictions can produce substantial gains for the real economy, in particular in the retail sector.