Between 12 and 14 October, EUROCHAMBRES is organizing online thematic events on rebooting Europe on the following themes: SME & Economic Policy, Skills, Single Market, Global Europe, Sustainable Europe.
Chamber network representatives will provide insight on the ongoing impact of the crisis on Europe’s grass roots economy and consider how the EU can help struggling businesses drive the recovery in the above themes. Senior EU policy-makers will set out initiatives to contribute to the recovery and to the institutions’ priorities for the 2019-24 term. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions and contribute to the debate.
More information on the website: bit.ly/RebootingEurope
SME & Economic Policy (12/10 | 15:00)
The importance of SMEs to the economy is clear and this thus translates to a pivotal role in driving Europe’s recovery from the COVID-19 crisis. While SMEs are often more exposed to the impact of economic crises, they are also more adaptable to shifting conditions and more responsive to evolving market trends. SMEs need a supportive environment if they are to recover and contribute to the jumpstarting of Europe’s economy. This event will consider the key elements this SME-friendly ecosystem, from EU level down to the grass roots level.
Key topics to be addressed:
Registration: bit.ly/Register4SMEs
Skills & Entrepreneurship (13/10 | 11:00)
Right skills for the recovery of European businesses
The COVID-19 crisis came suddenly and immediately challenged the current supply of skills. However, many businesses successfully shifted their work to the digital world, unemployment rose in many countries, what widened the already significant skills mismatches. The new Skills Agenda proposed 12 actions aiming not just at bolstering the digital and green transitions, but also at improving the deteriorating condition of employment. Besides the adequacy of the EU response, we will discuss the role that the chambers of commerce and industry need to play in the recovery of the labour market.
Key topics to be addressed:
Registration: bit.ly/Register4Skills
Single Market & Digitalisation (13/10 | 15:00)
Single Market as a lever for the economic recovery
The COVID-19 pandemic put the integrity of the Single Market under heavy strain, as EU countries one after the other shut down their borders in order to protect their citizens. More than ever this situation underscored how much our value chains are not confined anymore within national territories.
Even before the virus outbreak, companies in the chamber network were complaining about the lack of integration of the Single Market and the flurry of different rules and procedures they are confronted with.
In this session, the speakers will discuss how to have a new momentum to create a more ambitious Single Market and how it can contribute to the economic recovery effort of the EU.
Key topics to be addressed:
Registration: bit.ly/Register4SingleMarket
Global Europe (14/10 | 11:00)
A renewed Trade Strategy to drive the European economic recovery post COVID
COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on our highly intertwined European economies. So it is essential that trade is part of the solution for a swift and effective European economic recovery. While it essential to preserve and improve trading rules for a stable, transparent, fair, and predictable international trade environment, especially for our SMEs, the global pandemic has taught many valuable lessons that need to be reflected in a new Trade Strategy. Increased supply chain security, more diversification, strengthened digital trade and how global commerce can help the transition towards greener and more circular economies is all part of issues which EU Trade will need to address for a more resilient European economy post-COVID.
Key topics to be addressed:
Registration: bit.ly/Register4Trade
Sustainable Europe (14/10 | 15:00)
Financing the Green Deal – mobilising private and public funding for a green recovery
The Green Deal is considered by many to be the basis for a recovery that enables the transition to a sustainable economy. Significant public funding programmes have been proposed to support research, innovation, infrastructure, switching of business models and much more. However, neither the transition nor the economic recovery will be achieved without the mobilisation of private finance to close the gap. Several EU initiatives aim at channeling sufficient investment into economic activities deemed sustainable. A careful balance must be struck to create an enabling framework that ensures all sectors will benefit from the sustainable transition.
Key topics to be addressed:
Registration: bit.ly/Register4Sustainability
Final event (14/10 | 16:30)
Rebooting Europe wrap-up event
The final event in the EUROCHAMBRES Rebooting Europe online events series will build on the 5 thematic sessions over the preceding two days. The main levers for rebooting Europe will be discussed by EUROCHAMBRES President, Christoph Leitl, and a panel of high-level EU policy-makers. Given the dramatic and unforeseeable developments since March 2020, what can the EU do – more, less or differently – to enable businesses, especially SMEs, to survive, revive and drive the recovery process?
Key topics to be addressed:
Registration: bit.ly/RebootingEuropeSession
Strengthening our international trade: our priorities for the Government