About: Business associations
Chinese companies’ concerns need to be heard and addressed
This is an extraordinary year, clearly, because of COVID-19: the pandemic is wreaking havoc on economies and our businesses are struggling to weather the fallout. Zhou Lihong is the Chairwoman of the China Chamber of Commerce to the EU. Our...
Importance of national media is rising, according to new survey
Specialised EU affairs media are still the most relevant for Brussels corporations and associations, according to a survey conducted by EURACTIV and EPACA. The importance of national media is also rising, compared to a 2016 survey.
Brexit sparks europhilia among French business owners
Europe was the central theme at the launch of the summer summit by the Movement of Enterprises of France (Medef) on Tuesday (29 August). EURACTIV France reports.![CREDIT [openDemocracy/Flickr]](https://www.euractiv.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2014/12/eu_us_flag_ttip_creditopendemocracy_flickr.jpeg)
Trading and being treated fairly: Why European industry needs investment protection
Clauses similar to the Investor-State Dispute Mechanism (ISDS) being discussed as part of EU-US trade negotiations have existed for well over 30 years, and has only ever been used as a last resort, writes a coalition of business organisations. Above all it cannot, and has not been used, to overturn governments’ ability to regulate, they claim.
Business leaders want Europe’s Russian gas addiction reduced
SPECIAL REPORT / Efforts to reduce Europe’s dependence on Russian gas must be intensified even if it means raising energy prices, European business leaders have said.British business benefits greatly from EU membership
In the debate on the UK's membership of the European Union, some have called into question the value of the member state status. But British business - large and small - is unequivocal: membership of a reformed EU is the best way to realise our global future, writes Katja Hall.
Footing the world’s bill for a green transition
SPECIAL REPORT / World Bank President Lewis Preston called on rich donors to back a $5-billion (€4 billion) fund to help the world’s poorest nations protect their environment and make economic development more sustainable.
Business groups put positive spin on Europe crisis
With the European news agenda dominated by doom and gloom, EU business associations sought to underline the positives at their annual Brussels event.
Trade groups’ agenda ‘up for grabs’
Business associations must radically reassess their role in the EU policymaking arena if they are to continue to serve their members effectively in post-crisis Europe, federation representatives were told at a conference in Brussels last week (5 May).
Leadership key to trade associations’ power
Stronger leadership from director-generals and board members is required if European business associations are to improve their effectiveness in influencing EU policies, according to industry experts surveyed by a Brussels-based consultancy.
New EU landscape requires ‘swifter’ business action
Businesses require "much more professionalism" and "swifter answers" from their industry associations to deal with the complexity of today’s EU institutional landscape, according to Alain Beaumont, founder of AGEP Association Management.
PA boss: New EU landscape requires ‘professional’ business groups
Businesses require "much more professionalism" and "swifter answers" from their industry associations to deal with the complexity of today's EU institutional landscape, Alain Beaumont, founder of AGEP Association Management, told EURACTIV in an interview.
Trade groups face ‘paradigm shift’ in EU policymaking
Business associations are facing increased competition from individual companies in influencing the EU policymaking process, industry bosses heard last week (29 April).
New-look association to shape medical technology future
Industry association Eucomed, which represents European medical technology firms, yesterday (14 April) appointed a new board to ensure that its governance structure reflects the sector's evolution into a diverse and highly innovative industry.
Economic picture is ‘looking up’, says EU business group
Europe will regain the economic strength it enjoyed in 2007 within "three to five years," according to Jürgen Thumann, the new president of the BusinessEurope lobby group. But he told EURACTIV Germany that the recovery remains "fragile".
European business groups welcome election result
Industry leaders have welcomed the results of the European parliamentary elections, in which centre-right parties emerged as the dominant players, but several lobby groups have expressed concern about the low numbers of voters going to the polls.
Recovery ‘unthinkable’ without strong SMEs
A combination of loans for SMEs, bank rescue schemes and the implementation of the updated Late Payments Directive could help reboot Europe's ailing economy, Philippe De Buck, director-general of BusinessEurope, told EURACTIV in an interview.
Interview: Reversing traditional lobbying methods
Trying to convince policymakers of your arguments can only be successful to a certain extent, says Wilfried Haensel of PlasticsEurope. Lobbyists must also engage with society as a whole if they are to positively influence policy outcomes, he argues in an interview with EURACTIV.
Survey: National angle and new media tools key to EU communication
Finding the right balance between the Brussels and national perspectives is crucial when communicating on EU policies, while blogs and video clips are becoming an increasingly popular means of communicating online, indicates a EURACTIV survey.