Jay Meek’s Post

Today we celebrate the 1st anniversary of the Australia-UK Free Trade Agreement (#AUKFTA). Since entry into force, Australian goods exports to the UK reached A$5 billion, with strong growth from products benefitting from tariff reductions. Australian goods exports with preferential treatment under the A-UKFTA increased by 16% to March 2024 to reach A$921 million. 📈 We see strong growth across a range of #agricultural sectors which are now tariff free under the FTA, providing greater choice and helping to drive down costs for the consumer. Australia’s #medtech and #cleantech exports also grew significantly to March 2024. 👩🌾 🩺 🔋 The FTA makes it easier for UK companies to invest in Australian renewables and other green-tech industries. The FTA’s world-first Innovation Chapter encourages science and research collaboration, and commercialisation of emerging technologies. New mobility pathways and the mutual recognition of qualifications support expansion in our bilateral commercial interests. Discover how you can benefit from the A-UKFTA: https://lnkd.in/eN9cCFYt Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) I Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Today we celebrate the 1st anniversary of the Australia-UK Free Trade Agreement (#AUKFTA). Since entry into force, Australian goods exports with preferential treatment under the A-UK FTA increased by 16% to March 2024. 📈 We see strong growth across a range of #agricultural sectors, which are now tariff free under the FTA, providing greater choice and helping to drive down costs to the consumer. Australia’s #medtech and #cleantech exports also grew significantly to March 2024. 👩🌾 🩺 🔋 The FTA makes it easier for UK companies to invest in Australian renewables and other green-tech industries. The FTA’s world-first Innovation Chapter will encourage science and research collaboration, and commercialisation of emerging technologies. New mobility pathways and the mutual recognition of qualifications support expansion in our bilateral commercial interests: https://ow.ly/JFLx50S3fw0

As part of the Australia-UK Free Trade Agreement, the two nations recently held their inaugural Strategic Innovation Dialogue in London. The talks are designed to support trade in innovative goods and services between two of the world’s most pioneering economies. And they come at a crucial time when both countries are aiming to strengthen and diversify global supply chains, transition to net zero emissions and ensure the safe use of critical technologies. The discussions pinpointed 4 priority areas for collaboration on innovation: • A ‘biobridge’ to advance new and innovative medicines, diagnostics and therapeutics • Battery manufacturing • Offshore wind power • Harmonising standards for responsible use of emerging technologies Find out more, https://bit.ly/4bldDSD

The Council Conclusions “A competitive European industry driving our green, digital and resilient future”, developed by the Belgian Presidency and adopted today by the Competitiveness Council send a crystal clear and bold message: "The Council of the European Union urges the Commission to make industrial policy and the boosting of European competitiveness an integral part of its agenda for the next legislative mandate, thereby working towards a new European competitiveness deal as called for in the conclusions of the European Council of 17 and 18 April 2024, and building on the European Green Deal as driver for growth, innovation and investment" (source: https://lnkd.in/eyf9Zjd7, para 29). This was actually one of the key asks of the #AntwerpDeclaration which CEFIC, together with more 1190 organizations from 25 different sectors, have supported in order to secure EU’s industrial competitiveness, save high quality jobs for European workers in Europe and bridge the growth and investment gap towards our global counterparts to implement the Green Deal. #competitiveness #industry #CEFIC #chemicals #growth

Mid-term review of #horizoneurope is now. We need to think more in terms of where the #deal is for the #SME and #midcaps with the #greentransition. SMEs and Mid-Caps can not only go, but also lead the way. They don't need to satisfy investors, but they live in the middle of the society, and don't fly over it... and they also want a good future for their children. But with a successful company, not an insolvent one.

During the G7-B7 meeting in Reggio di Callabria last week, as a representative of the BDI, I had the opportunity to emphasise the importance of SMEs in Germany as the backbone of our economy. The Italian hosts strongly supported this view. We agreed that we need to reduce bureaucracy and cut back on superfluous certifications and regulations. Sustainability and resource conservation are of vital and global interest to us all. Nevertheless, this global challenge may not lead to new barriers to trade, as trading partners should be included according to their ecological and social potential. We cannot impose our high standards on all partners equally, but we can encourage them to do so. The question how to protect SME's from overwelming bureaucracy and the related costs remained unanswered. I strongly emphasised to rather use this money for innovation and transformation.

At the G7-B7 summit, our CEO Mathis Kuchejda emphasized the crucial role of SMEs in Germany's economy and the need to reduce bureaucracy. Sustainability is vital but should not create trade barriers; instead, we should encourage partners to meet high standards. He highlighted the importance of investing in innovation and transformation rather than bureaucratic costs.   At SCHMIDT + HAENSCH we are committed to sustainable growth. Let’s reduce hurdles and foster innovation together.   #SchmidtHaensch #G7

👏 We are excited by this achievements that only strengthen the bilateral relations between Europe and the GCC as leading part of MENA region. The potential for further economic collaboration and growth is immense, and we are eager to see this reflected at MPIRE EXPO EUROPE 2025. This exhibition will serve as a platform to highlight and to showcase the economic strengths and future business and investment opportunities between these regions. 🇪🇺🤝🇸🇦🇶🇦🇦🇪🇧🇭🇴🇲🇰🇼 MPIRE EXPO EUROPE 2025 is inviting all chamber of commerce of Europe and GCC, official authorities, economical partners and key stakeholders to join in shaping the next phase of progress and explore the future of the MENA region by being a part of this important event that will take place in Brussels, June 2025. For more information, visit: www.mpirexpo.eu ABLCC | Arab-Belgian-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce Wallonia Export and Investment Agency - Embassy of Belgium in KSA (AWEX Riyadh) European Chamber of Commerce in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (ECCKSA) Federation of Saudi Chambers Dubai Chambers Riyadh Chamber of Commerce & Industry The Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC) EU-GCC Dialogue EU-GCC Dialogue on Economic Diversification EU-GCC Cooperation on Green Transition Luigi Di Maio Qaisar Hijazin Yasmine Ali CHAMAS Awad hub.brussels | Africa & Middle East BeNeLux Business Council Invest Qatar INVEST SAUDI InvestOMAN Invest in Oman Vision2040 Qatar Chamber Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry Arab-British Chamber of Commerce British Chamber of Commerce Dubai (BCCD) Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy Dubai International Chamber Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry Morocco Now Moroccan Investment and Export Development Agency - AMDIE Morocco World News Mohammed AlQahtani Public Investment Fund (PIF)

💻 As a company, when you transition into the digital, you might develop new technologies, processes, or business models that create significant value. 🛡️ These innovations can and should be protected by various forms of #IntellectualProperty (IP). 👇 Learn why this matters and how it can help protect your company from the #IPLeaflets from Ideas Powered for Business. https://lnkd.in/d6yXGiVB #SMEs #IPForSMEs #SMEInnovation #SMEGrowth Confapi BVMW - Bundesverband mittelständische Wirtschaft e.V. Österreichischer Gewerbeverein ÖGV European Association of Institutes for Vocational Training (EVBB) Regionalna Izba Gospodarcza w Katowicach COTEC Portugal AFDEE Ondernemers voor Ondernemers vzw Sunrise Tech Park SBC - Slovenian Business Club ADEGI - Asociación de Empresas de Gipuzkoa MÜSİAD ESBA - European Small Business Alliance Eurojuris International Danish Export Association Asociace malých a středních podniků a živnostníků ČR European Business Association METI - Mouvement des Entreprises de Taille Intermédiaire SMB Norge Airborne Wind Europe PÁTOSZ European Business Association Georgia Accountancy Europe

The readout from July 24th's U.S. "#ALGOA Private Sector Forum' is now available, with the ongoing question being: should ALGOA be embellished before or after Congressional renewal? Sessions at the forum included: “AGOA Renewal: Setting the Stage for the Next Phase of U.S.-African Economic Partnership” “Scaling to Success: Building Stronger Partnerships in Textiles, Automotives and Agribusiness” “Beyond AGOA” and “Recommendations for the Future of U.S.-African Trade and Investment”. #Africa #GlobalBusiness https://lnkd.in/gZ6t8tkE