KBzine: the original kitchen and bathroom industry e-news - since 2002
28th January 2021
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Welcome to the
KBzine
The success of David Cameron's campaign to curb the proposed budget increases has overshadowed other news relevant to this industry... The recognition by the EU that with some 500 million consumers, 220 million workers and 20 million entrepreneurs, it needs industry!
At present, only one in four jobs in the private sector in the EU is in manufacturing and at least another one in four is in associated services that depend on industry as a supplier or as a client.
The EU believes that it is essential to increase productivity in manufacturing industry and associated services to underpin the recovery of growth and jobs. Industry is therefore at centre stage of the new growth model for the EU economy as outlined in the Europe 2020 Strategy yesterday.
Ten key actions for European industrial competitiveness, which were adopted yesterday, are:
* An explicit and thorough 'competitiveness proofing' of new legislation will be undertaken. The impact on competitiveness of all policy proposals will be properly analysed and taken into account.
* 'Fitness checks' of existing legislation will identify the potential for reducing the cumulative effects of legislation so as to cut the costs for businesses in Europe.
* The creation and growth of SMEs will be supported by making it easier for them to access credit and help their internationalisation.
* A strategy to strengthen European standardisation will be presented to meet the needs of industry.
* European transport, energy and communication infrastructure and services will be upgraded to serve industry more efficiently, taking better into account today's changing competitive environment.
* A new strategy on raw materials will be presented to create the right framework conditions for sustainable supply and management of domestic primary raw materials.
* Sector-specific innovation performance will be addressed through actions in sectors such as advanced manufacturing technologies, construction, bio-fuels and road and rail transport, particularly in view of improving resource efficiency.
* The challenges of energy-intensive industries will be addressed through actions to improve framework conditions and support innovation.
* A space policy will be pursued, developed in collaboration with the European Space Agency and Member States. The Commission will develop a space industrial policy to create a solid industrial base covering the whole supply chain.
* The Commission will report on Europe's and Member State's competitiveness, industrial policies and performances on an annual basis
Will all this have a positive impact on the KBB industry?
Only time will tell...
Yours,
29th October 2010