Manufacturers seek ambitious EU strategy

BELGIUM: Eurovent and the European Heat Pump Association (EHPA) are co-signees of a declaration by 92 sectoral associations calling on the EU to implement an ambitious industrial strategy.

The joint declaration is said to be in response to the considerable challenges Europe’s industry is facing, including the current shift of the US towards ‘America first’. It, amongst others, calls on the European Commission to “reaffirm its commitment to reaching the target of 20% of GDP from industry” and to “adopt an action plan to tackle the challenges that the industrial sectors are facing.”

“The clear majority of the more than 1,000 manufacturers that we count as our members are SMEs from all corners of Europe,” said Eurovent Association secretary general Felix Van Eyken. “They constitute the core of our industry, drive research and innovation, contribute to a skilled workforce, and support regional developments. It is them that should receive the full attention of our policy-makers. Strengthening our joint European industrial values and efforts is thus something that we fully support. An ambitious plan is necessary to ensure a sustainable development of our sector.”