Subscribe| Unsubscribe | Modify your data

Go to French version

11 April 05

On 22-23 March European heads of government met at a European Summit in Brussels. While the Summit lacked the pure economic focus that is needed - see also the articles below - it was a big step forward for the recognition of Chambers. For the first time ever, Chambers of Commerce are explicitly listed in the Summit conclusions: Chapter II "Relaunching the Lisbon Strategy: a partnership for growth and employment" underlines the key role which small and medium-sized enterprises play and commits the Member States to identifying measures required to cut red tape, introduce one-stop contact points and provide access to finance and accompanying services. In order to make the best use of support networks for SMEs, the Commission and Member States shall cooperate with and involve "Chambers of Commerce". This is a success for us. It constitutes recognition of our role and our commitment to the Lisbon goals. At the same time it is also a challenge for us to continue and even to reinforce our activities. We must now work out a proposal for real partnership with the European institutions and the Member States in order to help revive the Lisbon Strategy.

Arnaldo Abruzzini
Secretary General EUROCHAMBRES

· Latest news

· European Summit

· Industrial Policy

· Better regulation

· R&D/Innovation

· Finance

· Environment

· Chamber services

· EU Latin America

· EU US

· EU Egypt

· EU Gateway to Japan

· EUROCHAMBRES Women Network

· European Chambers Abroad (ECA)

· EUROCHAMBRES' Congress 2005

· Miscellaneous

· Pass the message on

Events
Photo Gallery
Contacts

President Leitl meets Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan
A EUROCHAMBRES' Presidency meeting was held in Istanbul on 1 April. In the framework of the meeting, President Christoph Leitl met the Turkish Premier Recep Tayyib Erdogan. President Leitl underlined EUROCHAMBRES' commitment to economic co-operation with Turkey and said: "Economic co-operation has a vital role to play in promoting a better understanding between peoples". President Leitl also thanked the Turkish Chamber of Commerce for its 40-year membership of EUROCHAMBRES.

Contact: Arnaldo Abruzzini Press Release 1 April

Chambers urge EP not to cut funds for competitiveness
EUROCHAMBRES urged the European Parliament to fully support the European Commission's priority of growth and jobs. Commenting on the proposal to cut back funding for competitiveness, as suggested in the initiative draft report of Reimer Böge (EPP-ED, Germany), Secretary General Arnaldo Abruzzini said: "We urge the Parliament to strengthen the focus on competitiveness, not by cutting funds for these issues but - on the contrary - by raising them. No compromise should be made as regards the economy."

Contact: Arnaldo Abruzzini Press Release 4 April

Three steps backwards
For EUROCHAMBRES the Spring Summit on 22-23 March was a missed opportunity to put the European economy back on track. Instead of focusing on core economic issues, the Summit conclusions are as broad as ever. Instead of reinforcing the Stability Pact, the Summit loosened the rules significantly. Instead of stressing the importance of the overall direction of the Services Directive, the Summit undermined that ambition.

Contact: Paul Skehan

Press Release 23 March

Chambers criticise "lite" version of Stability and Growth Pact
For EUROCHAMBRES the compromise reached by the ECOFIN Ministers and endorsed by the Summit gives further leeway to the Member States to interpret the Pact in a number of different ways. The main problem with the pact has always been the lack of commitment by the Member States to apply the rules. A real review should have produced a system less under political control and influence.

Contact: Paul Skehan

Press Release 21 March

Commissioner Potocnik opens EUROCHAMBRES' conference "Industrial Clusters in the Competitive Knowledge Society" on 29 April (Brussels) - register now!
The event will launch the results of a study on the development and relocation of industrial clusters in the enlarged EU. It constitutes the closure of the West-East Industrial District Project in which EUROCHAMBRES is taking part. The final programme as well as the registration form are now available online. Register now!

Contact: Wim Martens Programme Registration form

EUROCHAMBRES welcomes new Better Regulation communication
EUROCHAMBRES endorsed the Commission's new strategic communication on Better Regulation published on 16 March. Chambers hope that this will bring new impetus to efforts in this crucial area. The new communication promises improved impact assessments, the introduction of a 'competitiveness test' and a commitment to the simplification of existing legislation. This should ensure a better legislative environment and mean that unnecessary burdens on Europe's businesses can be avoided.

Contact: Sarah Lee Press Release 16 March

EUROCHAMBRES makes recommendations on Research and Development
The 7th Framework Programme for Research and Development (FP7) is being discussed by the European Parliament and the Council. EUROCHAMBRES delivered several key points for fostering R&D in Europe.

Contact: Vincent Tilman EUROCHAMBRES' Position Press Release 6 April

EP report on Basel II expected soon
MEP Alexander Radwan wants to table his report on the new capital adequacy framework at the end of April. EUROCHAMBRES together with EuroCommerce and UEAPME is in close contact with the rapporteur to introduce SME-friendly changes.

Contact: Cindy Fökehrer EUROCHAMBRES' Position

REACH - Deadline for amendments 24 April
Amendments to MEP Guido Sacconi's report on REACH can be submitted up until 24 April. EUROCHAMBRES' most important concern is still that the proposal should be workable, especially for downstream users. Chambers are invited to contact their MEPs to submit their amendments.

Contact: Cindy Fökehrer Sacconi report

Committee vote on end-use energy efficiency postponed
The vote on the report by MEP Mechthild Rothe has been postponed to 20 April. In the time gained, EUROCHAMBRES will continue to find more allies in the EP to support the introduction of indicative energy saving targets. Chambers are asked to contact their MEPs and ask for their support.

Contact: Cindy Fökehrer Rothe report EUROCHAMBRES' Position

EUROCHAMBRES International Trade Academy Forum - last day for registration!
For the third consecutive year, EUROCHAMBRES is organising a specialised 3-day session focused on International Trade. This Forum provides a platform for sharing experiences, discussing the latest trends & challenges in international trade and identifying best Chamber practice. It will take place from 20-23 April in Menthon St Bernard, near Geneva. The deadline for registration has been extended until 12 April!

Contact: Sophie Devos Brochure Application form

EUROCHAMBRES Summer Academy 2005 takes place in Hungary
The Academy is EUROCHAMBRES' top-of-the-range development programme for the middle and senior management of Chambers. It offers five days of intensive training and networking in an informal and stimulating environment. Since the first event in 1998, some 843 Chamber executives from across Europe and beyond have attended the Academy. This year's Summer Academy will take place near Lake Balaton (96km from Budapest, Hungary) from 12-17 June. The brochure will soon be available on EUROCHAMBRES' website.

Contact: Sophie Devos EUROCHAMBRES' Academy Website

Easier access to the AL-Invest III network
Following recent changes in the structure of the AL-Invest III Consortium, access to the programme has been facilitated. AL-Invest III offers a varied range of instruments to develop business co-operation with Latin America. The current available budget amounts to € 29.6 million.

Contact: Fernando Ramos

Survey on transatlantic trade and investment to be launched - We will send out more information soon
EUROCHAMBRES and the US Chamber of Commerce will launch an online survey aiming to map the problems European and US companies face in their transatlantic business. The results will be presented at an event leading up to the EU-US Summit this summer. EUROCHAMBRES calls on its member organisations to encourage companies to take part in the survey.

Contact: Kristian Røed

EBIS - New opportunities for European Chambers
New activities due to be implemented in the summer will give EU Chambers an opportunity to host senior representatives from Egyptian Chambers in order to present their best practices and set up sustainable co-operation.

Contact: Laurie Bizien EBIS Website

Japanese environmental market offers excellent opportunities for European SMEs
The sector is of huge importance in Japan and is expected to double by 2020. European SMEs enjoy an excellent reputation for the quality of their products and can easily get a bigger slice of the 'environmental cake'. The next recruitment for an environmental trade fair in the framework of the programme EU Gateway to Japan will be launched in May. EU Gateway to Japan helps European SMEs to profit from business opportunities in Japan through trade fairs and trade missions and is funded and managed by the European Commission.

Contact: Agnieszka Pajak Press Release 24 March More information on the Campaign

"CHASE" stereotypes in employment: answer our on-line survey!
An on-line survey has been launched in the framework of the "CHASE" project (CHambers Against Stereotypes in Employment). The survey will enable the project partners to identify stereotypes in employment and to find outstanding women in traditionally male jobs/sectors who will become role models for other women in their job search. Your opinion also counts for us, and we invite you to answer this short on-line questionnaire.

Contact: Birgit Arens On-line survey (in English only)

EUROCHAMBRES invites European Chambers Abroad to meeting on 12 May
EUROCHAMBRES is continuing its work to develop co-operation between European Chambers Abroad (ECA). Over the last few months, the Spanish and German Chamber associations (CSC and DIHK), in co-operation with EUROCHAMBRES, have undertaken extensive research on this dossier. Now ECAs from across the world are invited to a meeting at EUROCHAMBRES on 12 May. The event will be used to discuss how to best advance in order to maximise the visibility and effectiveness of an ECA network.

Contact: Kristian Røed

2004 Economics Nobel Prizewinner to attend EUROCHAMBRES' Congress in September
This year's Congress entitled "Entrepreneurship and Growth: the Chambers' answers" will look at investment in education and regional economic development, as well as support actions for the development of an entrepreneurial culture and the real assets of Europe in a global world. Finn Kydland, Nobel Prizewinner in Economics in 2004, will join the debates in Stavanger, Norway, on 29-30 September.

Contact: Marie-Elisabeth Rusling EUROCHAMBRES' Congress 2005 Website

Readership survey: thank you for your inputs!
We would like to thank all our readers who took part in the EUROCHAMBRES News' online survey. We will analyse the results and try to improve our newsletter in line with your needs!

Contact: Tosca Purr

Subscribe a colleague
Why not let your colleagues know about this free newsletter? For automatic subscription all they need to do is click on the link below.

Subscription

You are receiving EUROCHAMBRES NEWS because you are included in our mailing list. For changes click on Modify or Unsubscribe and use the password "pass2003".

We welcome your comments and suggestions. For feedback please contact Tosca Purr

EUROCHAMBRES
The Chamber House
Avenue des Arts, 19 A/D
B-1000 Brussels, Belgium
Tel. + 32 2 282 08 50
Fax +32 2 230 00 38
e-mail: eurochambres@eurochambres.be
www.eurochambres.be

Copyright © 2004 EUROCHAMBRES