22.10.19
RIA welcomes new report of EU rail supply chain competitiveness
The UK Rail Industry Association (RIA) has welcomed a new report on the EU rail supply industry as an “important step forward” in developing a competitive European rail supply chain.
RIA, the mouthpiece for many UK rail supply companies, say the report will improve competitiveness regardless of the outcome of Brexit.
Following the European Parliament’s resolution in 2016 for a strong and competitive EU rail industry, an expert group, bringing together small, medium and large supply companies, has developed this new report.
With Brexit looming, the uncertain future relationship of the UK and the EU hasn’t stopped RIA from wanting to ‘continue to play a role’ in the rail supply chain.
The report covers 10 key policy areas and recommendations to maintain the global leadership of the rail supply industry.
The policy areas included are; digitalisation, innovation, skills and training, internal market, standardisation, EU public procurement, EU supporting mechanisms, access to markets and finance for SMEs, access to international procurement market and intellectual property rights.
Recommendations include the continued support for transforming Europe’s rail system as well as the continuation of a partnership on rail innovation and research and adopting the blueprint programme for sectoral cooperation on skills.
The report supports the continued strengthening of EU actions for achieving a global level playing field particularly with regards to climate-neutral, energy-efficient and user-oriented transport systems.
Damian Testa, senior policy manager at the Railway Industry Association, said:
“This report is an important step forward in developing a competitive rail supply industry across Europe. It commits to the continued transformation of our rail network through digitalisation, to developing skills, spurring innovation and ensuring we have effective procurement methods – all common areas of interest for the international rail industry, where co-operation can lead to mutual benefits.”
“As the UK prepares to leave the EU, we hope we can continue to play a role in this work and to transfer the recommendations of this report into our future rail policy, whatever the outcome of the Brexit negotiations.”