Bundesministerium
O f(r Wirtschaft
und Energie
Katherina Reiche
Mr. Bundesministerin
Erkki Keido HAUSANSCHRIFT ScharnhorststraRe 34 -37, 10115 Berlin
Minister ofEconomy and Industry POSTANSCHRIFT 10100 Berlin
ESTONIA TEL ±49 (0)3018615-7600
FAX ±49 (0)3018615-7030
eberrnittlung Uber Deutsche Botschafi Tallinn E-MAIL
[email protected]
DATUM Berlin, ,‘1J. September 2025
Sehr geehrter Herr Minister,
ich freue mich, Sie persönlich zur Ministerkonferenz ,,Friends of Industry” am
3. November 2025 in Berlin einzuladen.
Die ,,Friends of Industry” solite ein wichtiger Impulsgeber in den Diskussionen zur
Ausgestaltung der europäischen Industriepolitik sein. In einer Zeit geopolitischer
Veränderungen, wirtschaftlicher Unsicherheit und notwendiger Richtungsentscheidungen
soilten wir unserer Industrie wieder eine starke Stimme in Europa geben und die Europäische
Kommission darin unterstUtzen, Rahmenbedingungen f(ir eine zukunftsfähige und robuste
Industrie in Europa zu schaffen. Wir mtissen die richtigen Weichen fiir Wachstum der
europäischen Wirtschaft stellen.
Daher möchte ich mit Ihnen zusammen im Rahmen der ,,Friends of Industry”-Konferenz
Uber Mal3nahmen und Wege diskutieren ffir die Stärkung der Wettbewerbsfähigkeit der
Industrie und die Notwendigkeit der Resilienz inkiusive der Frage, wie die Stärkung der
Verteidigungsflihigkeit industriepolitisch gestaltet werden kann, um Europa auf zentralen
Technologiefeldern voranzubringen und Wachstumseffekte auszulösen. Geplant ist, eine
gemeinsame Erklärung zu verabschieden, die wir im Vorfeld der Konferenz mit Ihnen
abstimmen werden.
r0MMUNU(ATSIOON1U1NIST!ERJ
D2. 10. 2025
t4r
-2-
Anbei finden Sie die vorläufige Agenda.
Ich bitte um eine Bestätigung Ihrer Teilnahrne per E-Mail an
[email protected].
Ich freue rnich darauf, Sie in Berlin begrtll3en zu können.
Mit freundlichen GrLJ3en
4j4 Federa[ Ministry
for Economic Affairs
and Energy
19. September 2025
Dear Minister,
1 am delighted to personally invite you to the Friends of Industry ministerial conference
on 3 November 2025 in Berlin.
The Friends of Industry should act as a key driver in the ongoing dialogue on the future
direction of European industrial policy. In a time of geopolitical shifts, economic
uncertainty, and critical decisions about our future direction, we must once again give our
industry a strong and unified voice in Europe. At the same time, we should support the
European Commission in establishing the framework conditions needed for a resilient and
forward-looking industrial base across the continent. We must set the right course for
growth in the European economy.
1 would therefore like to come together with you at the Friends of Industry conference to
discuss measures and approaches to strengthen the competitiveness of our industry and
the need to enhance resilience including how we can shape industrial policy to boister
—
Europe’s defence capabilities in order to advance our position in key technological fields
and unlock new drivers of growth. We intend to adopt a joint declaration, which we will
agree with you ahead of the conference.
Please find attached the provisional agenda.
1 would he grateful if you could confirm your attendance via email to
[email protected].
1 look forward to welcoming you in Berlin.
1
Federa[ Min istry
for Economic Affairs
and Energy
8th Friends of Industry Ministerial Meeting
Monday, 3rd November 2025, 10:30 — 14:00
Radialsystem
Holzmarktstr. 33, 10243 Berhn
09:30 Check-In
\Aielcome coffee & bUateral exchange
10:00 Press Statement
10:30 Opening Session
Katherina Reiche, Minister BMWE
Stephan Sjourn, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission (tbc)
11:00 Policy Discussion
Strengthening Competitiveness of the European Industry
— Measures needed
Pitch by Prof. Dr. Justus Haucap (tbc)
Director of the DCisseldorf Institute for Competition Economies (DICE)
Discussion
Pohcy Questions:
What economic barriers most significantly mpact the competitiveness of European
industries? Please name the three most urgent measures which need to be taken by the
European Commission?
What is needed to support the digital transition of industry within a giobal challenging
competitive framework? How can we exploit the potential value added of digitalisation
in the industry in Europe?
How can we reduce bureaucratic burden — beyond the Omnibus proposals?
1
12:30 Adoption of Declaration and Family Photo
13:00 Working Lunch on Minister-level
Securing the resilience of our industry and EU’s defence capabilities
Policy Questions:
Do we need EU preference to secure resilience? How can it be realized in an
unbureaucratic, effective and targeted way?
How can we exploit the fuil potential of spillover effects from defence investment for
our industry with the aim of boosting innovation?
Please note that the delegation size wiII be 1 + 2 (Minister and two delegates) for each delegation.
The Conference wiII be held in English. The Delegations may be accompanied by an interpreter. In this
case, they are invited to report it to the following contact friendsofindustrybmwe.bund.de.
Any questions about the programme and organisation of the Conference can be addressed to the
same address.
2