Strategic industrial policy: Social partners are calling for urgent reforms!

Strategic industrial policy: Social partners are calling for urgent reforms!

On June 13, 2025, the social partners presented a comprehensive study on industrial policy during the transformation on the Advisory Board for Economic and Social Questions. The results were presented to the BMWET, BMIMI and BMEIA ministries. The aim of this study is to improve the framework conditions for industry in Austria in order to secure location attractiveness and create high -quality jobs. When considering the strengths and challenges of domestic industry, it becomes clear that the focus must be on economic growth, employment, sustainable competitiveness and social security.

The study identifies central challenges such as high energy prices, falling productivity growth, technological residues and international competitive pressure. In order to counter these problems, the recommendations for action include, among other things, budget -friendly measures such as accelerated approval procedures and a fair distribution of network costs. The need is also emphasized to provide financial resources for innovation and investments to revitalize the economy.

optimization of the industrial conditions

Another central point of the recommendations is the better coordination of European and national industrial policy. This includes joint financing and targeted IPCEI projects. In addition, a European impulse program is proposed that should include industry -specific investment funding. The strengths in the areas of green and clean tech, life science and semiconductor area should be optimized in particular.

The demand for competitive energy prices and reforms in EU power market design is also important to ensure the competitiveness of industry. A diversification of the sources of raw materials through international partnerships is considered necessary. The focus on research, innovation and the qualification of specialists is crucial for long -term stability and economic strength.

The role of the EU and the German industry

Not only Austria has to deal with these challenges. Germany, as one of the strongest industrialized countries in the EU, sees similar difficulties. According to a report by the BMWK, industry is crucial for the social and cultural identity of Germany. The industry is strongly shaped by innovative companies, with 90 percent of the businesses in the processing business.

However, there are also problems here, such as the geopolitical changes and the need for transformation to climate neutrality, which requires enormous efforts. The new industrial strategy of the BMWK, published in October 2023, strengthens the focus on European integration and improvement in location conditions. An important element of this strategy is a electricity package that was decided on November 9, 2023 to relieve the manufacturing business.

active industrial policy for the future

The challenges that industry opposes are characterized by the "Twin Transition", i.e. the simultaneous digitization and decarbonization. The EU faces the task of making this transformation socially justified and acting actively in order to remain competitive. The dispute over trade rules, especially between the USA and China, increases the need for an active industrial policy that contains and protects the EU foreign trade.

The EU must therefore support key industries such as semiconductor and electromobility to ensure technological independence. A European sovereign fund could promote transformative industrial projects across Europe. These measures are crucial to actively shape the location competition for green key technologies and to equip the European industry for future challenges.

The language pipes of the social partners have highlighted their willingness to constructive participation in the political process in order to jointly find solutions to the industrial policy challenges. The integration of social and ecological criteria in public orders is considered essential to ensure a sustainable and successful industrial policy.