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Focus AreasCompetitiveness & Innovation

European companies and their employees are under increasing pressure from international competition. To maintain our position in the world, Europe needs to keep pace with global developments, being smarter and more sustainable. The Competitiveness & Innovation Working Group focuses on topics such as innovation, R&D, industrial policy, better regulation and the overall competitiveness of the European economy.

The Competitiveness & Innovation Working Group:

Ilham Kadri face shot

Chair

Ilham Kadri

CEO / Syensqo

Malik Duhaut face shot

Convenor

Malik Duhaut

Syensqo

Judith Ay face shot

Policy Director

Judith Ay

ERT

judith.ay@ert.eu

ERT & Euronews Debate on Innovation made in Europe

Watch the highlights of our Euronews Debate: Innovation or be history! featuring high level speakers from business, EU policymaking and academia.

Watch Highlights

Featured Documents

26 February 2025

ERT’s vision for the Clean Industrial Deal

In this extensive position paper, the European Round Table for Industry articulates its views on the various facets of policymaking that need to go into the Clean Industrial Deal. This...
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26 February 2025

ERT acknowledges first important steps by EU Commission to implement Draghi Report

Brussels, 26 February 2025: The European Industry Summit took place earlier today, chaired by Dr Ilham Kadri, President of CEFIC and Vice-Chair of ERT. It was an occasion at which...
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21 February 2025

ERT delegation visits Poland, meets with Ministers Domanski and Paszyk

Warsaw, 21 February 2025: With Poland currently holding the Presidency of the Council of the European Union until July, a delegation from the European Round Table for Industry (ERT), led by...
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12 February 2025

Joint Statement: A stronger Europe through research & innovation

Achieving the vision to “put research and innovation at the heart of our economy” is essential for addressing Europe’s most pressing challenges. These include closing the innovation gap, advancing competitiveness...
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29 January 2025

A compass to move Europe forward

Brussels, 29 January 2025: In a rapidly evolving global context, Europe urgently needs to set out its path to restoring competitiveness. Today, the European Commission has delivered an ambitious compass...
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5 December 2024

ERT meets European Council President, António Costa

Brussels, 5 December 2024: A delegation from the European Round Table for Industry (ERT) meets the newly arrived President of the European Council, António Costa, in Brussels today. The meeting is...
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28 November 2024

Europe’s business leaders would ‘choose Europe’, if Draghi Report is fully implemented

    86% of CEOs & Chairs in ERT believe that full implementation of the Draghi Report would improve conditions in their sector 80% would invest in the EU rather...
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9 September 2024

ERT: Draghi’s antidote to “the slow agony of decline” is ambitious and doable, Member States must play their part

Brussels, 9 September 2024: In unveiling his much awaited diagnosis for European competitiveness earlier today, Professor Mario Draghi has conducted a serious and comprehensive review of the EU’s place in...
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19 July 2024

Europe’s next Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (FP10) needs a major upgrade

Brussels, 19 July 2024: In the latest of a series of actions highlighting concerns for Europe’s competitiveness, the European Round Table for Industry (ERT) today issues a new paper addressing...
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18 July 2024

ERT congratulates President von der Leyen on securing a second term as European Commission President

BRUSSELS, 18 July 2024: Following today’s European Parliament vote in support of a second term for European Commission President von der Leyen, the European Round Table for Industry (ERT) congratulates the...
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29 May 2024

Confidence rebounds among European business leaders, yet their prospects are better outside Europe

Business confidence among Europe’s CEOs & Chairs returns to its highest level since May 2022 CEOs concerned that Europe-China bilateral relations will continue to deteriorate, reflecting several friction points CEOs...
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27 May 2024

ERT gathers in Zurich, meets Enrico Letta and Guy Parmelin

Zurich, 27 May 2024: The European Round Table for Industry (ERT) met in Zurich yesterday and today for its annual spring plenary. The meeting, hosted by Jan Jenisch, Chairman of Holcim,...
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18 April 2024

Industry requires the removal of barriers for a more integrated EU Single Market

Brussels, 18 April 2024: The Letta Report is the culmination of over 8 months of work and meetings with stakeholders across the full spectrum of the EU-27. In calling for...
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18 March 2024

An ice-bath for EU leaders. Competitiveness is crumbling: Europe’s business case needs a rebuild

BRUSSELS, 18 March 2024: As the clock ticks down to the European elections in June and Professor Mario Draghi’s upcoming report on Europe’s Competitiveness, the European Round Table for Industry...
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21 February 2024

Launch event for the ERT Competitiveness and Industry Benchmarking Report 2024

Rebuilding Europe’s business case: working against the clock ERT Competitiveness and Industry Benchmarking Report 2024 In the run-up to the European elections, the European Round Table for Industry launches the...
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10 January 2024

ERT delegation meets Professor Mario Draghi to discuss measures to revive Europe’s competitiveness

Milan, 10 January 2024: ERT welcomes that Professor Mario Draghi has been entrusted with the task¹ to draw up a plan to revitalise Europe’s competitiveness. A delegation of European business...
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15 November 2023

CEO confidence withers in Europe as regulation weighs down competitiveness

Brussels, 15 November 2023: Business confidence among CEOs and Chairs of many of Europe’s largest companies has fallen back into negative territory, reflecting current economic conditions and the weight of...
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26 October 2023

ERT Vision Paper: Europe’s corporate leaders call for renewed EU integration as focus for EU from here to 2030

Brussels, 26 October 2023: As many in the EU policy sphere look to prepare the ground for next year’s European Parliamentary elections and new European Commission, the European Round Table...
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18 June 2023

ERT Letter to the European Council ahead of the Summit on 29 & 30 June 2023

The European Council Summit in the last days of June will take stock of the EU's progress in strengthening the its competitiveness in the global context. The Competitiveness package announced...
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13 June 2023

ERT – Appraisal of EU initiatives on competitiveness

Brussels, 13 June 2023: At a time of intensifying global competition, the issue of the EU’s competitiveness has gradually been gaining ground in the EU agenda. However, there are limitations in...
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23 May 2023

Business confidence stabilises, but Europe’s competitiveness is on the decline

Brussels, 23 May 2023: Today’s report reveals the latest sentiments for the economic and business outlook among European business leaders and reflects the challenges facing companies in Europe across a...
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27 March 2023

European industrial & technology leaders share ideas for boosting innovation made in Europe

BRUSSELS, 27 March 2023: As the European Union finds itself balancing technological change, fierce global competition and increasingly delicate geopolitics, it has become all too clear that those who lead in...
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6 February 2023

ERT Letter to the EU Council ahead of the EU Summit on 9-10 February 2023

ERT is encouraged by the EU's determination to develop a strong and common response and welcomes the focus of the upcoming special European Council (9-10 February 2023) on improving European...
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12 December 2022

ERT Letter to European Council ahead of the European Council Summit on 15 December 2022

In advance of the European Council Summit on 15 December 2022, we are writing to share the views of the European Round Table for Industry (ERT) on the urgent need...
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23 November 2022

CEO confidence drops to an all-time low in H2 2022

Brussels, 23 November 2022: The results of a new survey released today reveal the latest sentiments for the economic and business outlook among European business leaders and reflect the challenges...
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7 October 2022

ERT issues Industrial Competitiveness Alert

Soaring energy prices are currently precipitating an alarming decline in the competitiveness of Europe’s industrial energy consumers. In this short summary paper, ERT highlights the significant implications of the current...
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27 June 2022

The voices of European business jointly call for renewed economic integration in the EU

In the wake of last week's Summit of the European Council, five of the EU's largest cross-sectoral business associations joined forces today to issue a joint statement calling out the...
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15 June 2022

ERT highlights the gap between EU visions and realities as geopolitics puts competitiveness in the spotlight

BRUSSELS, 15 June 2022: At the Competitive Europe Summit in Brussels today, Dr Martin Brudermüller, Chair of ERT’s Committee for Competitiveness & Innovation and Chairman & CEO of BASF SE, announced...
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24 May 2022

Falling optimism, but European business leaders’ investment intentions remain even as economic impact of war bites

Brussels, 24 May 2022:  A new report released today reveals the latest sentiments for the economic and business outlook among European business leaders and reflects the challenges facing some of...
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7 December 2021

Europe’s industrial & technology leaders kick off campaign, calling for renewed integration to strengthen the EU Single Market

BRUSSELS, 7 December 2021: As the European Union is actively pursuing feedback from citizens through its ongoing Conference on the Future of Europe, this morning the leaders of some of...
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Competitiveness & Innovation


All Focus Areas

Securing Europe’s Place in a New World Order

The European Union has benefited its citizens economically and socially, regardless of the current challenges.

CFO Platform

Europe must become a more attractive destination for doing business and making investments.

Competition Policy

Unfair trading practices as well as the increasing dominance of global companies originating in the East and West are threatening Europe’s economy.

Competitiveness & Innovation

European companies and their employees are under increasing pressure from international competition.

Digital Transformation

The digital transformation of industry is a critical factor for Europe’s competitiveness, growth and jobs.

Energy Transition & Climate Change

The EU has taken a global lead in climate action - climate neutrality and global competitiveness must be mutually reinforcing.

Jobs, Skills & Impact

Europe’s greatest asset is its people and their diversity. We focus on bridging the skills gap and building an inclusive company culture.

Trade & Market Access

Free trade is one of the founding principles of the EU, and we need to take a stand to protect and preserve it.


Contact

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Tel: +32 2 534 31 00

Email: contact@ert.eu

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