The Leading Industries in the New EU Member States and Their Contribution to Increasing the EU’s Export Potential

Purpose and need for study:This chapter analyses the leading industries in the new European Union (EU) member states, focusing on automotive, information technology (IT), aerospace, textiles, machinery, chemicals, renewable energy, and food and beverages. It compares the 13 new EU countries that joined in 2004, 2007, and 2013, considering factors like industrial diversity, infrastructure, workforce skills, national economic policies, and geographical position. The aim is to enhance the EU’s industrial competitiveness and contribute to overall prosperity and social cohesion. Methodology: The methodological instruments used in this chapter include literature review, EU documents search, historical analysis, comparative study, data handling, and interpretation. Findings: A careful look at the top industries of the new EU states and their capacity to increase the EU export potential shows the need for the following measures: digitalisation (growing e-commerce, digital marketing, and data analytics to meet global market demand), the monitoring of geopolitical factors and dynamics of the internal market, the expansion of external economic relations, and the reduction of barriers in global trade. This study finds that the new EU members confronted several challenges and deficiencies over the years, which are highlighted (e.g. outdated infrastructure, skilled labour shortage, environmental issues, bureaucratic hurdles, and lack of transparency in certain areas), along with the associated solutions and initiatives meant to remedy them. Practical implications: This study derives important practical implications linked to new business opportunities, investment decisions, infrastructure improvement, skills development, and educational policies.