Production in construction up by 0.5% in euro area – up by 0.6% in EU28
In November 2017 compared with October 2017, seasonally adjusted production in the construction sector increased by 0.5% in the euro area (EA19) and by 0.6% in the EU28, according to first estimates from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In October 2017, production in construction fell by 0.3% in the euro area and by 0.5% in the EU28.
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More investment in construction via the Juncker Plan
In December 2017, the European Investment Bank signed deals worth a total of around €730 million under the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI). The signed deals include €330 million for small and medium-sized enterprises in Austria, €200 million for water infrastructure in Italy, €150 million for five separate projects in Spain, ranging from trains to energy efficient buildings and €50 million for a construction machinery rental service in Finland.
As of December 2017, the EFSI was expected to trigger a total of €256.1 billion in investments, with deals approved amounting to €51.1 billion in financing. These are located in all 28 Member States.
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Towards an Inclusive Digital Strategy
Construction is one of the sectors featured in the next EU Industry Day on 22 February. Supported by the European Commission, an event will be co-hosted by FIEC, CECE, Construction Products Europe and EBC. This united front reflects the collaboration that is needed across the industry to ensure that digitalisation does not leave any company behind. Speakers include Max Lemke from DG Connect and senior representatives from the four federations. For more information and registration, please click on the link below.
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EU Package on Future of Learning
Τhe European Commission adopted recently a new “Education package” with initiatives to improve key competences and digital skills of European citizens and to promote common values and pupils’ awareness of the functioning of the European Union.
The package is composed of :
- A Recommendation on Key Competences for Lifelong Learning, aimed at improving the development of key competences of people of all ages throughout their lives and to provide guidance to Member States on how to achieve this objective.
- A Digital Education Action Plan focused on the changes needed in education systems in an age of rapid digital change, on developing the digital skills needed and on improving education through better data analysis and foresight.
- A Recommendation on common values, inclusive education and the European dimension of teaching, aimed, amongst other things, at strengthening inclusive education to promote quality education for all pupils as well as the European dimension of teaching.
These issues are high priorities for FIEC and in the coming week we will discuss how to integrate them in our own initiatives, as well as in those of our sectoral Social Dialogue.
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