The topics discussed by the member states in Brussels on Thursday could increase the competitiveness of the European Union. This was stated by the Minister of Economy of the Slovak Republic Denisa Saková (Voice-SD) after the meeting of the EU Council for Competitiveness, informs TASR reporter.
She reminded that the European Commission (EC) is preparing measures to increase competitiveness by increasing demand within Europe, especially for products that are manufactured in the Union and have a carbon-free footprint. According to her, this also means products from “green aluminum”which supports the Slovak government’s efforts to revive Slovalco’s production of aluminum without a carbon footprint in Slovakia. “We also have interesting numbers in the field of supplying cement to the European market from Slovakia, because the Slovak Republic supplies approximately 16 percent of the cement that is consumed within the EU, and we also have the lead on the European market in the supply of paper, without a carbon footprint,” she explained.
He argues that these are opportunities that should be taken into account under the new public procurement regulation for member states. In addition to this regulation, the ministers are still discussing the fact that in the case of sectors such as photovoltaics or battery systems, states should motivate foreign investors to invest in Europe, create new jobs and not import such goods. With all this, according to the minister, it is necessary to talk about the simplification of the permitting procedure, so that there is one procedure for one application, accelerated in time.
Sakova added that the Council of Ministers also dealt with the draft of the 28th legal regime for businesses. It concerns small or medium-sized enterprises that want to introduce innovations to be established in a digital environment within 48 hours for very low costs of up to 100 euros. According to her, this gives young people great chances to operate on the European market without any barriers. The regulation would allow them easier access to other markets, such as the single European one.
“We support both of these proposals. We also had reservations or comments about them. We will be happy if the individual defects or inconsistencies in them are corrected before the regulation is approved and enters into force.” she said. She clarified that this regulation should be approved by the end of the year, and the questions to be resolved relate to the tax obligations of companies under the 28th regime or insolvency.
Saková added that the ministers also met with representatives of the General Directorate of the EC for Climate, with whom they negotiated the terms of the upcoming package known as “Investment Booster” – an accelerator for investments, especially for energy-intensive industries.
“This is about a 30 billion package that will be used in the near future. Especially in the area of energy-intensive enterprises,” she stated. She emphasized that the ministers wanted to know the contents of the package, what scale of projects companies can apply for and what the conditions will be for companies to receive funding. She reminded Slovakia that it was more responsible for decarbonisation than the average of European countries.
“This means that we have a clean energy mix. In the field of energy, we are the most responsible country within the EU, but also, for example, in the field of the steel industry and aluminum production, if Slovalco starts up,” she pointed out. According to her, this situation narrows the space for Slovak companies to get investment money, and on the contrary, countries that were not responsible and invested little and produce a lot of emissions, they can draw more from the new package.
“It was indicated to us that a special package will be prepared for countries that have a lower income within the EU member states, such as Slovakia, from which we will be able to draw. It is important that companies must prepare, because it will be on a first-come, first-served basis, and thus we have a chance to overtake those countries that were not responsible in the past and did not decarbonize their industry as much as we did,” she stated in conclusion.
