Globalization and technological change are reshaping production throughout Europe, leading to the decline of traditional industries and rapid growth of high-technology manufacturing, banking and finance, scientific research, and business services. The fact that companies in these sectors benefit from operating close to one another may boost economic development at the expense of peripheral regions.
事实上，国内差异的暂时扩大也许是一件好事。全球化和技术变化正在重塑欧洲各国的生产，这导致了传统产业的衰退和高科技制造业、银行和金融、科研和商业服务业的快速增长。这些产业的公司从在相互接近的地区经营中获益的事实可以刺激经济的发展，但同时会影响外围地区的发展。