By Stefano Mallia, EESC Employers' Group President 

"Unlocking Competitiveness for Shared Prosperity" is the core objective of our Group's newly adopted priorities.

In the face of current global challenges, prioritising competitiveness and creating a business-friendly environment must be at the forefront of the political agenda, supported by concrete policy actions.

In a business-friendly EU, competitiveness is based on excellence and sound competition instead of subsidies or protectionism, and businesses have competitive access to all necessary production resources. A business-friendly EU also means having a regulation that is conducive to business and productivity, where the administrative burden is minimised, and where the Single Market is fully functioning. In addition, solid trust between enterprises and policymakers is key to attracting investment, just as it is necessary to safeguard the interests of EU businesses in relation to international competitors.

This is why we are calling for 10 sets of business-friendly policy actions as top priorities:

1. Radical reform of the regulatory approach
2. Productive Innovation Systems focusing on investment and innovation
3. High Technological Capacity in defence, security and the green transition and support for technology start-ups
4. Strong Industrial Base
5. Integrated Financial Markets by developing the Capital Markets Union and the Banking Union
6. Adequate Access to Labour
7. Effective Energy and Transport Systems
8. Equal Trading Conditions
9. Business-oriented Green Transition
10. Efficient Public Finances

These actions are urgent if we want to harness the positive impact of competitive businesses on a robust economy and a globally influential EU.

The Letta and Draghi's reports were a wake-up call: either the EU restores its competitiveness, or it may face difficult trade-offs on welfare, environmental standards and core freedoms.

We cannot afford this.