Business development
Issues relating to business development, small and medium-sized companies, supply of capital, entrepreneurship, simplification of rules, issues relating to patents and innovation, cooperative enterprise and general conditions for enterprise growth.
Competition
Issues concerning competition, freedom of trade and certain questions relating to business law as well as EC rules on state aid to the business sector.
International Trade Policy
Issues related to foreign trade, international trade negotiations and the EU internal market
Mining and minerals policy
Issues concerning mining and minerals.
Primary industries
Forest industries and other energy-intensive primary industries, vehicle manufacturing industries together with their subcontractors and recycling.
Regional growth
Regional policy issues, including regional aid areas, support to enterprises and regional policy coordination of different sectors of society. Regional Growth Programmes. Geographical and national target programmes 1 and 2, and the Community initiatives Interreg, Urban and Leader+. European Spatial Development Perspective (ESDP).
Research and development
Research and development within technology, space exploration, energy, transport and communication, working life and testing and measuring techniques.
