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On October 28-29, industry leaders and policymakers from across Europe gathered in Sønderborg, Denmark, for the Powering European Industry conference. The conference discussed necessary strategies and action to reinvigorate European competitiveness. It was hosted jointly by our Danish member DI, Danfoss, the International Energy Agency and BusinessEurope. “Securing energy at competitive prices is central to preserving Europe’s industrial base and ensuring global competitiveness for European companies,” said our Director General Markus J. Beyrer. The high energy costs place Europe at a significant disadvantage compared to other major economies, underlined our recent energy study, conducted in partnership with Compass Lexecon.
How can we improve conditions for productive investment and facilitate the creation of quality jobs in Europe? This crucial question was the focus of discussions between the European social partners and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, ahead of the European Council meeting addressing the competitiveness challenges in the light of the Letta and Draghi reports. “The next 18 months will be crucial to give clear signals to European companies and foreign investors. Meeting Europe’s substantial investment needs requires first and foremost improving the EU attractiveness as a location for private investment”– emphasised President Fredrik Persson. Persson added: “If well designed, employment and social policy can enhance Europe’s competitiveness and productivity”. On this occasion, we also presented BusinessEurope’s “Priorities for the EU’s social dimension in 2024-2029”. - Read the speech
On 2 October, we brought together industry leaders, policymakers, and experts to address a pressing question: How can the EU achieve its ambitious climate and energy targets while remaining internationally competitive?
In a fireside chat with Euronews journalist Angela Barnes, our President Fredrik Persson delved into the findings of our in-depth study conducted in collaboration with Compass Lexecon. “We did not want to question the 2050 climate neutrality target. The study was modelling an ‘optimistic’ scenario and ‘politics-as-usual' scenario for the green transition. And both of these scenarios reach climate neutrality, but at different costs to society and companies”, he stated. Persson pointed out that even in the optimistic scenario, by 2050, energy costs in Europe could still be at least 50% higher than those in the US, China, and India. - Read more
In a new position paper, we stress that the EU must use the new legislative cycle to reboot its trade agenda. To rebalance the focus placed in recent years on its defensive toolkit, the EU must develop an ambitious diversification strategy.
Welcoming the much-anticipated report on the future of the EU’s competitiveness, presented today by Professor Mario Draghi, BusinessEurope President Fredrik Persson said:
"We welcome the release of this comprehensive report and extend our gratitude to Professor Draghi and his team for the extensive work. The report will undoubtedly play a critical role in shaping future EU strategies and policies.
A stark and alarming conclusion of the report is that the European Union is lagging behind its global competitors – a reality that European companies experience daily. We fully endorse the call for a frank and urgent discussion on the disruptive measures the EU must adopt to regain its competitive edge. BusinessEurope has long advocated for a reboot in European policies as we enter the next institutional cycle." - Read more
After years of consecutive crises, European businesses find themselves at a structural disadvantage vis-à-vis global competitors as a consequence of high energy prices, a mounting regulatory burden, and limited financing opportunities. While the global economy grew by 3.2% in 2023, the EU economy stagnated in real terms in the same year, as 10 member states saw their economy contract. The strong performance of the EU’s services sector contrasts with industry, as industrial production across the EU declined by 1.8% in 2023 and the vast majority of member states saw their industrial output decline by up to 12.1% compared to the previous year. In 2024, our latest Spring Economic Outlook expects the EU economy to grow by 1.2% in 2024, compared with an expected 5% growth in China and 2.6% in the US. - Read more
Discover our position paper for an insightful look into better regulation within the EU. We outline key objectives, principles and tools, and offer strategic recommendations to strengthen political commitment across EU institutions. BusinessEurope strongly supports the EU´s better regulation agenda as a safeguard of democratic decision-making. It is about enhancing the quality of policy and law-making and ensuring the legitimacy and accountability of EU governance. - Read the position paper