Survey: CEOs see higher growth opportunities in EU than in Asia

A survey of Europe’s top 100 corporate leaders has highlighted
innovation in the enlarged EU as the primary source of potential
growth, ahead of opportunities offered by Asia.

A new survey carried out by consulting firm Pleon has revealed
that Europe’s top 100 business leaders value growth opportunities
in the enlarged EU more than those offered by Asia. One of the
reasons put forward for the renewed interest in Europe is the EU’s
eastward enlargement and the opportunities it offers for
businesses. 

The survey was based on a selection of 1,785 official CEO
statements on their strategies and business agendas for the period
January to June 2004 and on annual and quarterly reports. The
survey covers a selection of companies in nine EU countries
(Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Poland,
Spain and the UK) across 13 industry sectors. 

Published on 5 October, the study shows innovation is
considered as the key to success and that Europe “remains at the
centre of business and investment policies”.

“Innovation in Europe – new products and services coming from
R&D in key industries – was highlighted by 82 per cent of CEOs,
when discussing future growth opportunities,” says Pleon.
“Accordingly, the majority of European CEOs plan to increase
investment in Europe,” the consultancy adds. 

Dr. Rainer Zimmermann, CEO of Pleon said, “The message from
Europe’s CEOs is clear. Parallel to the strong interest in Asia,
business is undergoing a new phase of Europeanisation, quietly and
without hype. Companies will respond to the new opportunities in
different ways – through new alliances or mergers or by developing
new organisational structures, marketing processes and dialogues
between politics and economics to build a truly European
perspective”.

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