© starmanseries
© starmanseries

Katainen acknowledges role of construction

The significance of the construction sector in Europe’s long-term challenges has been acknowledged by European Commission Vice-President Jyrki Katainen.

Addressing the Investment Plan for Europe, or the so-called ‘Juncker Plan’ at the annual congress of FIEC (the European Construction Industry Federation) in Brussels, Belgium, Katainen said that “the construction sector can play a key role in addressing long-term societal challenges that Europe faces,” including its contribution to jobs and growth, demographic changes, climate change, creating smart cities and resource sustainability.

FIEC president Johan Willemen added that the role of the construction sector only requires a stable investment strategy for its full co-operation: “No investment means no growth, no jobs and no future, and I’m talking both private and public investment here, as both are needed and are complementary.

“The rationale of the investment plan is to mobilise private money. This is most needed, but many essential projects for EU competitiveness are not able to attract private money, as they do not offer interesting returns or any return at all for private investors. What happens then to the renovation and maintenance of our core assets?

“At some point, public money must also be mobilised and the Juncker Plan should also help out.”

Other recommendations made by Willemen include strengthening EU budget lines which have been successful in granting money to projects through Horizon 2020, amongst other instruments.

Responding to Katainen’s call to raise awareness about the European Investment Project Portal and investment platforms at national and regional level, Willemen stressed, “The construction industry stands ready to accept the challenges ahead and play an active role in the further implementation of the Investment Plan.”