Theo Birmpoutsoukis’ Post

As we approach June’s #EUelection, what can business do as the next five weeks shape Europe for the five years to come? Rising geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions and looming right-wing populism set the backdrop for a fundamental reshaping of the EU Single Market, as Europe works to advance its competitiveness, economic security, and open strategic autonomy. Kekst CNC Brussels experts Adam Waters, Laure Botella, Matt Williams, and Pierre Gruson, analyze how business could be impacted by changes to capital markets, increased access to investment, a more industrial Green Deal, and a focus on tech innovation. Read the full blog here> https://lnkd.in/ewnR55Ap

Last night's Maastricht Debate kicked off full campaign mode as we move toward June's European election. For #tech, as the discourse shifts from #regulation to #implementation, how could policymakers respond after the election to ensure #funding is unlocked to promote the competitiveness of Europe's digital eco-system? Could an #industrialpolicy approach as part of a future #DigitalNetworksAct foster the integration in telecoms called for by Mr. Letta? And might growing #economicsecurity concerns in strategic tech sectors give European companies a greater share of voice?

EU leaders to urge swift progress on joint capital market by year end By - https://lnkd.in/gwaCvF_P BRUSSELS (Reuters) - European Union leaders will seek "swift and decisive" progress by the end of the year on a U.S.-style capital market to steer private investment into the bloc's green and digital economy, according to draft conclusions of next week's EU summit. The leaders, who will meet

Policy and industrialization find themselves at a crossroads, specifically with the example of the Draghi Report. The European continent finds itself behind in competitiveness on many measures, and the report's answer to this is generally: investment. The thinking here is that investment leads to innovation. This certainly can happen, but it will take big changes in the costs of doing business before we see a significant increase in European businesses in our supply chains. Challenges abound for all the areas of European industry, including the rise of right-leaning politics, and a reluctance for deeper EU integration. There are real trade-offs to consider between competitiveness and traditional European perspectives. Can the EU become more like the USA? Would they even want to? What will it mean for the global industry? #DraghiReport #Policy #Innovation #Investment #Competitiveness

Interesting analysis of the growing competitiveness gap between the EU and US/China, and how much of it may come down to persistent internal barriers and internal redundancies within the EU. (Which reminds me of absurdly persistent historical trade barriers between Canadian provinces.) "Regulatory barriers to scaling up are particularly onerous in the tech sector, especially for young companies. First, complex and costly procedures across fragmented national systems discourage inventors from filing Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs), hindering young companies from leveraging the Single Market. Second, the EU’s regulatory stance towards tech companies hampers innovation: the EU now has around 100 tech-focused laws and over 270 regulators active in digital networks across all Member States...." #europe #eu #competitiveness #regulation #investment Ursula von der Leyen https://lnkd.in/dtrnVQ5S

Can the new EU team save Europe? “dedicated to . . . competitiveness, digitalisation and decarbonisation” and “not preserving the old . . . but embracing the new” is the message today from the German commission president Ursula von der Leyen. France’s nominee Stéphane Séjourné will oversee an industrial strategy with “innovation and investment at its heart”, while Italy’s Raffaele Fitto will be responsible for the multibillion-euro cohesion funds that seek to narrow the gap between rich and poor parts of the EU. The commission presidents next five-year term at the helm of the EU is going to be an interesting challenge, especially on the digitalisation and innovation front and going to drive a lot of new business growth for digital services organisations.

The power of a "unified capital market" will help unleash the fullest potential of Europe that has been locked up for far too long. Delighted to see this much needed report coming from the most respected Mr. Draghi yesterday. I hope this report will be as powerful as his "Whatever it takes" phrase that saved the Euro back in 2012 and help us move towards that union. #europeanunion #technology #innovation

Mario Draghi pulls no punches in his analysis and plan for increased EU competitiveness which could be summarised by a cry for bravery, coordination and coherence. In his calls for growing productivity and growth, he’s really saying that ‘what got us here is not going to get us there’ and the EU needs to radically innovate and shift practice and mindset towards regulation, industrial strategy, risk-taking, lifelong learning and building skills (A man after my own heart!) – if we are to compete in a changing geo-political economy. The EU may have missed the boat already in some industrial sectors and Draghi may not get invited to the Christmas party by saying: ·        ‘This lack of dynamism is self-fulfilling’ ·        It takes 19 months on average to agree new laws – even before national implementation – Decision making needs to speed up ·        Innovative companies are hindered by consistent and restrictive regulation ·        Europe has no innovation clusters in the global Top 10 ·        More than 50% of SMEs in the EU flag regulation and admin burden as their greatest challenge. ·        ‘We have a too conservative attitude to risk, when it comes to financing’ ·        Industrial structures are static ·        Horizon Europe spread to thin and is complex and bureaucratic ·        EIC Pathfinder – led by EU officials rather than scientists and innovation experts, with a quarter of the funding of the US ‘DARPA’. In his report ( worth reading) Draghi calls for (amongst other things): ·         ‘Massive investment’ - €750+ bn required annually (4 times the Marshall plan!) with financing delivered more efficiently, with higher risk-taking and coordination. ·        Re-imagining energy pricing in EU so that businesses can benefit from de-carbonisation ·        Radical approach to decision making and strategic policy/priority setting, streamlined across member states ·        Full implementation of the single market ·        Skills and competences - focus on adult learning and vocational training ·        Interoperability and single approach ·        Cutting the regulatory burden on SMEs by up to 50% (yay!) While a reference to increased QMV and a Europe-Wide FDI 'Investment Screening Mechanism' may raise eye brows in various quarters in 'Ireland Inc.', there is a lot to be embraced in this report. Of key importance will be to see where it goes. Hopefully not into the long grass. There is much to be gained from a radical re-think of innovation across Europe. Innovate Island

As Amway ESAN, we continue to champion growth and innovation across Europe. The upcoming Commissioners-designate hearings present a crucial opportunity to reinforce this commitment. Ensuring competitiveness is essential to maintaining a robust business environment. Today, 17 senior business leaders from AmCham EU ExCo, including myself, have released a joint message urging decisive action to keep the EU an attractive destination for investment. Click below to read the full announcement. #AmwayESAN #AmChamEU #CompetitivenessOfEurope

Unlocking competitiveness will not happen without a new sense of political courage and vision [Promoted content]: Are we finally seeing the light of a thriving EU economy at the end of the tunnel? With all the attention on the Letta and the Draghi reports, the next Commission's political guidelines, the EU Presidencies' priorities and drumming conclusions of the European Council, competitiveness is the word on everybody's mouth.