UNIFE Warns Rail Industry Must Be Recognised as Strategic Sector

Europe’s rail supply industry has warned it could face an “existential threat” if policymakers fail to recognise it as a strategic sector. UNIFE Director General Enno Wiebe made the remarks following the European Commission’s proposal for a new Industrial Accelerator Act.

Quote attributable to UNIFE Director General Enno Wiebe with the occasion of the release of the Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA) proposal by Stéphane Séjourné, European Commission Executive Vice-President for Prosperity and Industrial Strategy.

"While we welcome the Industrial Accelerator Act, and the ambition of the European Commission to prioritise and highlight the challenges faced by European manufacturing, this focus must continue to be a pressing priority as Europe's economic engine is at risk."

"Despite our industry not being directly covered by the European Commission's Made in Europe provisions announced today, we fully support the Commission’s acknowledgement of the need to consider EU origin for the building of rail rolling stock, as the transport sector is critical to the Union’s economic security."

Strategic Sector Status and Global Competition

"We need to be absolutely clear - if we are not defined as a strategic sector by European policymakers as part of the Public Procurement Directives reform later this year, we might face an existential threat."

"Despite positive market growth, considerable challenges from unfair trade practices from China and regulatory burdens inside of Europe threaten our ability to compete globally and in the Union. In today’s world, if you snooze, you lose."

"As rail is central to European military mobility and supply chains, technologies from high-risk suppliers must not be placed on such key European infrastructure. Our sector must be designated as strategic for this reason, and why we will continue to advocate for this position."

Source: UNIFE