The European Round Table of Industrialists list over 50 recommendations for policy action in the next five years
Brussels, 2 February 2010 – Today, members of the European Round Table of Industrialists (ERT), a forum of 50 leaders of major industrial and technological companies of European parentage, launched their vision for a competitive Europe in 2025, listing more than 50 recommendations for policy action in the next five years. ERT has also developed a set of ‘Quick Wins’ outlining short-term policy actions that could bring Europe onto a new, post-crisis path for economic development from as early as 2010.
“Global megatrends are rapidly changing today’s world. Europe will only stay at the forefront of global economic activity if it responds to the competitive challenges and unleashes its power. The EU’s unique diversity should be turned into its competitive advantage. It can help Europe evolve into a leading global innovator. Action is urgent now,” stated Gerard Kleisterlee, the Chairman of the ERT Competitiveness Working Group.
A bold vision is needed to ensure the consistency of the changes that are necessary to achieve transformation. ERT’s Vision is intended to provide guidance. At the launch event Leif Johansson, the ERT Chairman, said “The ERT Vision is that Europe should remain an attractive place to live and work in 2025. This is not a self-fulfilling prophecy. Europe must transform itself to be able to stand for a high quality of life for its citizens, offering prosperity and societal well-being in the future.”
ERT’s Vision draws on expert input from within ERT companies and stakeholders in the policy-making sphere and proposes recommendations for policy action during the next five years. It is a contribution to the debate on the future Europe 2020 Strategy, but not specifically focused only on that policy initiative.
To turn this Vision into reality, Europe must achieve five major goals: becoming a global champion of sustainable growth; be well-embedded and respected in global markets; unleash its innovative power; enable people, education and culture to drive productivity and equip itself with decisive, reliable and transparent governance.
Gerard Kleisterlee expanded on specific elements of the Vision: “Europe can only be an attractive place to live and work if the achievements that benefit its society can be sustained over time. Sustainability must therefore be understood as a multi-faceted concept, embracing the environmental dimension, as well as sound economic, financial, education, social security and pension systems, optimised use of raw materials, water and food, and a secure energy supply.”
Leif Johansson added that “The success of Europe’s Single Market demonstrates that competition and free markets can act in the service of society. But the Single Market is far from complete. It should be further extended to cover all goods, services, capital, people and knowledge.”
The ERT Vision includes more than 50 recommendations for policy action in the next five years and ‘Quick Wins’ for short-term policy actions in this year. These include an EU-wide programme to improve energy efficiency and the reinforcement of the EU’s technology lead. Consideration should be given to promoting companies’ R&D investments; for example by devising an “R&D crash programme” to allocate unused funds from the EU’s 7th Framework Programme to R&D projects. The “Quick Wins” also include the establishment of a European Coordinating Body, which is essential to support the promotion of mathematics, science and technology studies.
To accompany “ERT’s vision for a competitive Europe in 2025” a website was launched today to track the progress of the policies and recommendations presented in the Vision. The new www.EuropeOnTrack.eu website will provide an ongoing assessment of progress.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
The European Round Table of Industrialists (ERT) is a forum of around 50 European industrial leaders aiming at promoting the competitiveness and growth of Europe’s economy. ERT Members are Chairmen and Chief Executives of major multinational companies of European parentage covering a wide range of industrial and technological sectors. ERT derives its strength from the commitment and personal involvement of its Members. Companies of ERT Members cover a wide range of industry sectors, with headquarters situated in 18 European countries. Their combined turnover is € 1,600 billion thereby sustaining around 6.6 million jobs in the region.
ERT Chairman: Leif Johansson
Leif Johansson is the President of AB Volvo and Chief Executive Officer of the Volvo Group since 1997. The Volvo Group is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of trucks, buses and construction equipment, drive systems for marine and industrial applications, aerospace components and services. The Group also provides complete solutions for financing and service. The truck business includes the brands Volvo, Renault, Mack and Nissan Diesel. Founded in 1927, Volvo today has approx 100,000 employees, production in 19 countries and operates on more than 180 markets. The Volvo Group's net sales 2008 amounted to USD 46 billion.
ERT Competitiveness Working Group Chairman: Gerard Kleisterlee
Gerard Kleisterlee is the President and CEO of Royal Philips Electronics since April 2001, member of the Board of Management since April 2000 and member of the Group Management Committee since January 1999. Philips, a diversified Health and Well-being company, is headquartered in the Netherlands and employs about 116,000 employees in more than 60 countries worldwide. With sales of EUR 23 billion in 2009, the company is a market leader in cardiac care, acute care and home healthcare, energy efficient lighting solutions and new lighting applications, as well as lifestyle products for personal well-being and pleasure with strong leadership positions in flat TV, male shaving and grooming, portable entertainment and oral healthcare.
EuropeOnTrack Website
The new website www.EuropeOnTrack.eu contains a media section which includes photos and videos from the launch event and quotes from the ERT Chairman and the Competitiveness Working Group Chairman.
CONTACT:
Xanthe Visram
ERT Secretariat
Tel: +32 478 84 03 86
E-mail: x.visram@ert.eu