Sarkozy pledges to reverse industry’s decline

The French Government published a review of industrial policy on the 4 March 2010. The review set a target of increasing industrial production in value terms by at least 25% by 2015, maintaining industrial employment at current levels, and eliminating the trade deficit in manufactured goods by the middle of the decade.

In launching the review President Sarkozy set out a raft of measures to reverse the decline of industry, promising a bigger role for the state in boosting innovation and saving jobs.

EurActiv reports President Sarkozy as saying that the EU's competition policy is preventing the creation of strong European companies and needs to be more flexible.

ESO: Background information: Sarkozy’s fund starts to win over critics http://www.europeansources.info/record/sarkozys-fund-starts-to-win-over-critics/

ESO: Background information: The challenge of restoring French competitiveness http://www.europeansources.info/record/the-challenge-of-restoring-french-competitiveness/

France24, 4.3.10: Sarkozy says state to lead French industrial renaissance http://www.france24.com/en/20100304-france-president-nicolas-sarkozy-greater-role-state-shareholdings-industry

EurActiv, 5.3.10: France urges looser EU competition rules http://www.euractiv.com/priorities/france-urges-looser-eu-competiti-news-308156

France: Presidency: Industrial policy proposals, March 2010 (in French) http://www.elysee.fr/download/?mode=press&filename=10-03-04Dossier_de_presse_EGI.pdf

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