73 industry leaders from nearly 20 sectors presented the “Antwerp Declaration for a European Industrial Deal” to Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The Declaration calls for ten urgent actions to restore competitiveness and preserve employment opportunities within Europe. It underlines the industry’s commitment to Europe’s transformation and underscores the pressing requirement to strengthen competitiveness, resilience, and sustainability amid economic challenges. Additionally, it highlights the pivotal role of European industry in providing essential climate solutions for the region.
Martin Brudermüller, Cefic President, highlighted that “basic industries in Europe are grappling with historical challenges: demand is declining, investments in the continent are stalling, production has dropped significantly, and sites are threatened. We want to drive the transformation of our companies. For this, we urgently need decisive action to create the conditions for a stronger business case in Europe.”
Alexander De Croo said in a speech in New York, USA, in September 2023 that “the question in front of us is: how do we continue to grow our European industry? The answer is: with a European Industrial Deal at the same level of a European Green Deal. Not in opposition to each other but to reinforce each other.” [1]
The Declaration can be signed by a CEO or Director General of a company, association, or other organization.
The Declaration calls to Member State Governments, the next European Commission, and Parliament to:
- Put the Industrial Deal at the core of the new European Strategic Agenda for 2024-2029.
(addressing regulatory issues and proposing an Omnibus proposal to streamline existing EU regulations) - Include a strong public funding chapter with a Clean Tech Deployment Fund for Energy Intensive Industries
- Make Europe a globally competitive provider of energy.
- Focus on the infrastructure Europe needs.
- Increase the EU’s raw materials security
- Boost demand for net zero, low carbon, and circular products.
- Leverage, enforce, revive, and improve the Single Market for the transition of integrated value chains
- Make the innovation framework smarter
- A new spirit of law-making. Let entrepreneurship thrive to find the best solutions to overcome challenges.
- Ensure the structure allows to achieve results.
- ‘The Antwerp Declaration for a European Industrial Deal‘, Antwero, Belgium, February 20, 2024. (accessed February 28, 2024)
[1] Speech by Prime Minister Alexander De Croo at United Nations, Prime Minister Alexander De Croo addressed the United Nations General Assembly in New York, UNGA78, New York, USA, Sept. 20, 2023.
