Hattmannsdorfer demands more competition: This is how Austria strengthens the EU!

Hattmannsdorfer demands more competition: This is how Austria strengthens the EU!

Österreich - Minister of Economics Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer has spoken out for deeper competitiveness and deregulation at European level. In his foreword to the EU project report for 2025, which deals with economy, energy and tourism, he emphasizes the need to deepen the internal market, especially in the service sector and to create a real capital market union. According to OTS , bureaucratic hurdles such as the supply chain directive have to be simplified to avoid gold plating.

A central aspect of Hattmannsdorfers plans is the cooperation to ensure competitive energy prices. Trade agreements and strategic partnerships play a crucial role in the availability of critical raw materials. The report was noted in the Economic Committee under positive votes from ÖVP, SPÖ, Neos and Greens.

focus on competitiveness

Hattmannsdorfer emphasizes the “Competitivity Compass for the EU” and the “Clean Industrial Deal”. He explains that the “Competitivity Compass” contains almost 50 measures to strengthen competitiveness. An important goal is the planned reduction of administrative loads by at least 25 % for companies and 35 % for small and medium -sized companies (SMEs). In addition, the acceleration of approval processes in energy -intensive and strategic sectors is highlighted.

In addition, Hattmannsdorfer demands a critical review of the transfer of control skills. As part of the “Clean Industrial Deal”, Austria supports measures to accelerate the approval procedures. A balanced approach to the climate protection measures that are related to the European Green Deal is also considered necessary. The minister speaks for free certificates for exports in third countries that have not implemented comparable climate protection measures.

initiatives for decarbonization

The European Commission launched the “Clean Industrial Deal” on February 26, 2025 to strengthen the competitiveness and resilience of European industry. This deal aims to accelerate the decarbonization in Europe and act as a growth engine, such as Federal Chancellor Office reported. Companies and investors should receive security and predictability.

A central focus is on the support of decarbonization and electrification of energy -intensive industries. The deal also stipulates that the circulatory capacity is encouraged to optimally use resources and reduce dependencies. The EU's competitive advantage is to be secured by low energy costs, which is also taken into account in the action plan for affordable energy.

uniform strategies and competencies

The EU plans further measures to increase competitiveness by addressing various fields of action such as affordable energy, global markets and international partnerships as well as skills. Initiatives such as the "Union of Skillers" are intended to create high -quality jobs and secure new skills. Here, 90 million euros from the "Erasmus+" program are provided to promote industry-specific competencies, inform BMWK . In summary, it can be said that the European initiatives and in particular the “Clean Industrial Deal” were designed in response to the challenges of industry, how high energy costs and unfair competition were designed. A structured and common approach is necessary to ensure the competitiveness of the European economy and in particular to put the energy -intensive industry on a more sustainable basis.