Specific regions or sectors

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This area is concerned with the impacts of policy on specific sectors and specific regions. These two aspects may be closely related whenever the economy of a certain region relies heavily on a particular sector (coastal regions largely dependent on fisheries activities; areas living of the coal sector and of the induced benefits; regions heavily relying on tourism or agriculture).[1]

Impacts on specific sectors of the economy are well-known in policymaking; climate change policy, with its implications for the energy sector and for energy intensive sectors, is but one example. Such concerns are related not only with matters of principle (fairness of treatment and fair sharing of the burden entailed by policy) but also with such fundamental issues as international competitiveness: European business and industry face a constant challenge to remain competitive, to keep up with technology, and with the pace of growth in competing countries. Meeting the challenge successfully is essential for sustainable growth and for our greater prosperity.[1]

Although the European Union is one of the richest parts of the world, there are striking internal disparities of income and opportunity between its regions. The entry of 10 new member countries in May 2004, whose incomes are well below the EU average, has widened these gaps. Regional policy transfers resources from affluent to poorer regions. It is both an instrument of financial solidarity and a powerful force for economic integration.[1]

According to the Impact Assessment Guidelines of the European Commission, the following key questions are of particular importance when examining the impacts of policy initiatives on specific regions or sectors:

See also

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 JRC: IA TOOLS. Supporting inpact assessment in the European Commission. [1]

This text is for information only and is not designed to interpret or replace any reference documents. The text is partially adapted from:

Overviews of the European Union activities: Regional Policy