Much of its wealth reflects the increased value of energy, not productive economic activity.

Poverty remains the main obstacle to overcome on the way to an equitable international economic system because it stems from an unequal level of production and an unbalanced income distribution among countries.

It is industry more than any other productive sector that provides a breeding ground for entrepreneurship, promotes business investment, fosters technological upgrading and dynamism, improves human skills and creates skilled jobs, and through inter sectoral linkages establishes the foundation for both agriculture and services to expand.

At E.U. level in recent years, gender equality has also been regarded from the viewpoint of its economic importance as a productive factor, due to its connection to the demographic problem and the labour market on the one hand, and social cohesion on the other, as well as its connection to the view of the family as a productive unit.