With the aim at gathering vies on the improving of competitiveness and job creation, the European Commission launched a public consultation meant to provide input for the mid-term review of the industrial policy communication planned for September 2012. The contributions can be made until 7th August.

The public consultation opened by the European Commission on how to keep industry as a driver of sustainable growth and jobs, will be opened to contributions until the 7th August 2012. The Commission launched this consultation with the aim to get new input for the mid-term review of the industrial policy communication planned for September 2012. This review will focus on developing a limited number of new initiatives that can deliver substantial results in the short- to medium-term. The European Commission presented a Communication on "Industrial policy: Reinforcing competitiveness" in October 2011.

The main objectives of the consultation are to discuss what policy priorities the European Commission should focus on and to gather recommendations from stakeholders on how to boost competitiveness of European industries. Some of the issues covered are SME-friendly business environment and entrepreneurship; access to finance and risk capital; industrial innovation and technologies policy; skills, restructuring and structural change; improving the Single Market; ICT, internet and cross-border sales; better and more consistent regulation; energy infrastructure and competition; internal transport market; environmental regulations; resource-efficiency and recycling; energy and climate; international market access and global competition; and access to raw materials.

According to the Commission, new policy initiatives should have a demonstrable and significant impact on competitiveness, growth and jobs. The review will contain a comprehensive progress report on the implementation of this strategy and its reinforcement.