The importance of industry in the economy and the regional policy of the European Union

The contemporary global economy and the accompanying extremely dynamic acceleration of technological development are expressed, among other things, in the displacement of the industrial civilization in favor of an economy based on knowledge and information. These trends are reflected in the decreasing role of industry in both employment and GDP in most European Union countries. Moreover, the EU is highly diverse in terms of current industrialisation and conditions and prospects for the development of industry in the future. Improving the framework conditions for industry and promoting opportunities for growth in production and employment in the industry are the major challenges in the light of the current developmental trajectory. At the same time the importance of the actions taken at the regional level increases. The aim of the study is to diagnose the condition and processes of industrial development in the regional economy of the EU and the factors determining it. Attention is also paid to the role of regional policy in promoting industry transformations and development programs.