BusinessEurope

How can we improve conditions for productive investments and create quality jobs in Europe?🇪🇺 I had the opportunity to take part in a valuable discussion at the Social Dialogue Meeting in Brussels alongside European leaders like President Ursula von der Leyen, Executive Vice-President Dombrovskis, and Commissioner Schmit. Together with social partners, policymakers, and business leaders, we explored key actions to strengthen Europe’s economy and competitiveness: 🔑 Reducing energy costs: By scaling renewable energy and closing the gap with global competitors, we can drive sustainable growth. 📊 Simplifying regulations: A 25% reduction in reporting burdens will help SMEs thrive in a complex environment. 🇪🇺 Maximizing the benefits of the Single Market: Removing cross-border barriers by mid-2025 will unlock significant economic potential. 💡 Boosting innovation: With regulatory sandboxes and targeted support for industrial innovation, Europe can lead in digital and green transformation. 🤝 Addressing labour mobility and skills gaps: By improving mobility, upskilling workers, and attracting global talent, we can tackle Europe's labour shortages. The conversation emphasized that urgent action is required to ensure Europe remains a competitive and attractive destination for investment. The time is now to align policies with ambition and create new pathways for growth and job creation. BusinessEurope SMEunited SGI Europe Confederation of Danish Employers Konfederacja Lewiatan MGYOSZ/BusinessHungary European Commission #SocialDialogue #Competitiveness #Investment #Innovation #Sustainability #LabourMobility #FutureOfEurope #BusinessEurope #Collaboration

How to turn Europe into an SME superpower? Europe is home to over 25 million SMEs, representing 99% of all businesses and providing jobs for more than 88 million citizens. Yet, these crucial enterprises face mounting challenges: ➡ Persistent labour shortages ➡ Rising energy and credit costs ➡ A wave of new regulations To advocate for policies that truly support SMEs, we hosted the fourth event in our SME Roadshow series today in Berlin. A huge thank you to BDA | Confederation of German Employers' Associations for co-organising the event with us, and to the Federation of German Industries (BDI - Bundesverband der Deutschen Industrie e.V.) for their support! We were honoured to hear keynote speeches from: Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament Michael Kellner, German Parliamentary State Secretary and Commissioner for SMEs Fabrice Le Saché, Chair of our Entrepreneurship & SME Committee, outlined our main priorities: “This is about ensuring better regulation that genuinely supports SMEs, creating streamlined access to finance, and making sure the green transition empowers SMEs rather than overwhelms them. The EU must also take a more active role in SME governance.” 👉 Check out our proposals for turning Europe into an “SME superpower”: https://lnkd.in/ePTCQybR

🚨 Brussels, we have a problem: High energy costs are putting European industries at risk!🚨 European businesses are facing a major competitiveness challenge, largely driven by skyrocketing energy bills. 💡 Did you know? - EU companies pay 2-3 times more for electricity than their US counterparts. - Natural gas prices in Europe are 4-5 times higher than in the US. This situation is simply unsustainable. 📊 At BusinessEurope we’ve teamed up with Compass Lexecon to analyze the future of Europe’s energy market up to 2050. The findings? Eye-opening. Even in the best-case scenario, our energy prices could still be 50% higher than in the US. But we’re not just pointing out the problem – we’re offering solutions. This week, we hosted an event in Brussels to discuss how Europe can strengthen its competitiveness during this critical energy and climate transition. 🚀 Key recommendations from our energy study: - Scale up renewable and low-carbon energy in cost-effective regions with strong European-level coordination. - Broaden the list of industries at risk of investment leakage. - Exempt industrial consumers from rising energy infrastructure costs. After an impactful keynote by MEP Christian Ehler, I had the chance to speak with Angela Barnes of Euronews about these recommendations. A huge thanks to our brilliant panelists: Fabien Roques (Compass Lexecon), Nick Keramidas (Metlen Energy & Metals), Pierre Schellekens (@DG ENER), and Laura Cozzi (International Energy Agency (IEA) for their insights. 🌍 The European business community is committed to finding solutions. Now it’s time for EU leaders to act. 📘 Read our full energy study and policy recommendations here: [https://lnkd.in/dQQbKFXD) #energy #climate #competitiveness #business #europe

🌟 We are hiring! Junior Adviser for our Economics Department 🌟 Are you passionate about European economic policies? We’re looking for a Junior Adviser with experience in preparing analysis and recommendations. In this role, you will: 🔹 Prepare our economic forecasts and our flagship publication - Reform Barometer 🔹 Monitor and analyse EU policy proposals 🔹 Draft position papers with our members and briefings on key issues such as EMU governance, Europe’s competitiveness strategy, and the EU budget 🗓 Apply by 17 October 👉 Read more and check the requirements: https://lnkd.in/eC29FpVi

🌍✨ Did you know that energy costs in Europe could be at least 50% higher than in the USA, China, and India by 2050? This stark forecast set the stage for our event, “Energy and Climate Transition: How to Strengthen the EU's Competitiveness,” held at Autoworld in Brussels and online. We brought together industry leaders, policymakers, and experts to tackle a critical question: How can the EU achieve its climate goals and remain competitive? Christian Ehler, EPP Coordinator in the European Parliament’s Committee on Industry, Research and Energy, kicked things off by emphasising the need for a "completely different dialogue between EU politicians and the industry" to align policies with industrial realities. In a fireside chat with Euronews journalist Angela Barnes, our President Fredrik Persson shared insights from our study with Compass Lexecon. Both an ‘optimistic’ and a ‘politics-as-usual’ scenario can achieve climate neutrality by 2050, but at different costs to society and companies. The takeaway? Prompt and strategic EU action is crucial. A panel of experts then dug into the core issue: how to decarbonise without deindustrialising. The discussion emphasised the need for concrete next steps towards a competitive and sustainable Europe. We want to hear from you: What are the key steps the EU should take to achieve climate goals while safeguarding competitiveness? Fabien Roques, Nick Keramidas Metlen Energy & Metals, Pierre Schellekens; Laura Cozzi, International Energy Agency (IEA).

📢 Don’t miss out! Last chance to register for the event “Next Commission’s Priorities from Central European Perspectives” on 1 October, 12:00 - 16:00 CET in Brussels.   Our Director General Markus J. Beyrer will join a discussion alongside Wilhelm Molterer, Chairman of the GLOBSEC Board of Directors and former Vice Chancellor of Austria, Guntram Wolff, Senior Fellow at Bruegel, and former MEP Vladimír Bilčík. The session will be moderated by Henry Foy, Brussels Bureau Chief at the Financial Times.   The 2024 European elections have reshaped the political landscape, with new leadership facing critical challenges such as Russia’s war in Ukraine, post-COVID recovery, and the green and digital transitions. Central and Eastern Europe, being at the forefront of these issues, play a pivotal role in shaping Europe’s future.   At the event, GLOBSEC will present its latest report on the next Commission’s priorities, with a focus on Central European perspectives.   📅 Programme and registration: https://lnkd.in/eVtdrV_m

🌍 With fierce international competition, a turbulent geoeconomic environment, and raw material shortages, the EU can’t afford to look inward. Our economic resilience and competitiveness hinge on our commitment to rules-based trade, openness, and diversification. 🚀 So, what’s the best way to navigate these challenges and seize new opportunities? 📽️ Tune in as our Deputy DG, Luisa Gradim Santos, and Deputy Director, Eleonora Catella, explore the five key priority areas from our latest position paper.

Around 1,000 guests— including representatives from business, EU institutions, and journalists —braved the weather yesterday to join us for the "Back to Business" garden reception! 🌧️ Held in the lovely garden of the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences in Brussels, this event was a team effort from 15 leading European associations.   With the new European Parliament kicking off its mandate, it was the perfect chance for some high-level networking, lively discussions, and fresh collaborations. 🤝   The evening was highlighted by inspiring words from Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo. 🔥🗣️ He reminded us that the EU is still the number one place to live, work, and be an entrepreneur, but stressed that we need a new industrial policy now more than ever to keep it that way.   POLITICO Europe's Editor-in-Chief, Jamil Anderlini, kicked things off and led an engaging fireside chat with PM de Croo. It was a fantastic start to the new political cycle, setting the stage for open dialogue and productive engagement in the months ahead.   Here’s to new beginnings and productive collaborations! ✨#EUBack2Business Cefic European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) AIM - European Brands Association American Chamber of Commerce to the European Union (AmCham EU) CEMBUREAU Cosmetics Europe - The Personal Care Association DIGITALEUROPE EFPIA - European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations Eurelectric FoodDrinkEurope SMEunited SolarPower Europe WindEurope

As we step into the new political cycle, the EU has a golden opportunity to redefine its trade strategy for the future. To enhance competitiveness amid global challenges, we’re calling for a proactive, creative, and forward-looking trade agenda.   In our latest paper, we offer key recommendations and practical ways to implement them.   Highlights include: 🌐 Developing a new generation of bilateral agreements 🤝 Strategically engaging with key partners like the USA and China ⚖️ Committing to a rules-based World Trade Organization 🔮 Anticipating future trends, such as in security, clean, and critical technologies.   Our publication was unveiled to journalists in a press briefing this morning, initiating an important conversation about shaping Europe's trade future. Explore our insights and join the discussion! https://shorturl.at/8oDqq #EUTrade EU Trade Sabine Weyand

💡 What can the European Union do to remain a successful ‘research union’?   Investing in research and innovation is crucial for the EU’s long-term competitiveness and will be key for a successful green and digital transition. But the EU is falling short – in 2022, additional €120 billion were needed to meet its 3% of GDP spending target.   As we enter a new political cycle, BusinessEurope outlines 9 key actions to boost R&I in Europe 👉 https://shorturl.at/7fiGH   🌱 The EU requires forward-looking and #competitive policies that unlock investments. We also invite you to explore our new policy priorities for sustainable finance, environmental policies, and circular economy. Read them here 👉 https://shorturl.at/O0c8p EU Science, Research and Innovation, EU Environment and Climate #Research #Innovation