Invitation

O Bundesministerium 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

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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.

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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?

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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.

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