EU and European electronics sector invest 5 billion euros in stimulus program

The European Commission will attempt to support the European electronics industry through a public-private partnership. The so-called Ecsel programme, in which 5 billion euros is pumped, should ultimately create 250,000 jobs.

Ecsel, which stands for electronic components and systems for European leadership, will receive 1.18 billion euros from the EU for Horizon 2020, a research and innovation programme. European companies will in turn contribute €2.34 billion to this programme, while the 28 Member States will contribute an additional $1.17 billion.

In addition to the EU and various electronics companies, universities and research institutes also participate in the ECSEL programme. The target is to create 250,000 new jobs in the European electronics sector by 2020 and 100 billion euros in new private investments. In time, this should further strengthen the European competitive position.

The EU states that European countries are already doing well in the automotive and energy sectors in particular, as well as life sciences and healthcare. A number of participants in the Ecsel program therefore see opportunities in the development of the chip industry in particular. This ambition was also expressed in May last year by European Commissioner Neelie Kroes of ICT Affairs.