An industrial competitiveness policy for the European Union

The committee adopted the report by Mr Bernhard RAPKAY (PSE, D) on the Commission communication concerning an industrial competitiveness policy for the EU. However, amendments were adopted in relation to several points which substantially amended the report by Mr RAPKAY. In particular, the text of paragraph 1 welcomed the fact that the Commission recognised the need for "modernisation of the public sector, simplification of administrative rules - for the benefit in particular of small and medium-sized enterprises - and the creation of a favourable context by safeguarding competition". The original text stipulated that "the responsibilities of the public authorities should be extended to include the implementation of active industrial policy measures, as opposed to traditional practices consisting purely of creating a favourable context by safeguarding competition". Similarly, in paragraph 7, with regard to the development of an employment-intensive growth structure, the phrase "through the creation of a favourable context for employment-intensive service activities" was removed. Finally, in paragraph 10, it was stipulated that the task of any modern industrial policy was to "create wealth for society, which could be promoted by social dialogue", whilst the rapporteur's text stated that such a policy "required and should promote social dialogue". �