The European Commission presented three documents aimed at fostering industry sector. The proposals include an Industry Communication calling for short term focussed investment in key industry sectors with high growth prospects; the 2012 Scoreboard on the Member States industrial competitiveness performance; and also the 2012 European Competitiveness Report, which identifies opportunities to make European industries more competitive.

A substantial set of proposals aimed at boosting industry was presented in a form of three documents by the European Commission. The Commission proposes a number of priority actions to stimulate investments in new technologies, to improve the business environment, to access to markets and to finance, particularly for SMEs, and ensure that skills meet industry’s needs in the Communication tabled by European Commission Vice President Antonio Tajani. In May 2012, the Commission launched a public consultation on the European industrial policy.

The scoreboard highlights a continued shift towards a more knowledge-based economy, with increased labour productivity and highly-skilled labour. Most of the countries have engaged in reforms to improve business prospects and strengthen their competitiveness. Several Member States have made good progress in strengthening industry's sustainability, improving support to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and reforming public administration. However, the innovation gap between Member States risks widening due to the different ways they have responded to the economic crisis.

Finally, the annual European Competitiveness Report published by the Commission is designed to contribute to the analysis underpinning the EU's promotion of competitiveness. Among its key finding, the drop in domestic demand which cannot be fully offset by demand from third counties, the EU leadership in Energy efficiency and in capacity to attract foreign direct investment. The actions proposed in the mentioned Communication should also contribute to reduce competiveness gap across Member States and EU regions.