Category: Archive – 2012

Competitiveness Council
– Digital Single Market and Governance of the Single Market
: The Single Market plays a key role in overcoming Europe’s present economic challenges. It is crucial to make the Single Market work on the ground, including the Digital Single Market, by effectively implementing and enforcing Single Market principles and rules.

 

This requires political will and strong commitment by all stakeholders, especially European institutions, national parliaments and authorities at all levels. Furthermore, focus is needed on special national regulation. Each year more than 700 new national technical regulations are notified to the Commission. They all create barriers to the free movement, unnecessary administrative burdens and extra costs for businesses. Better governance is clearly needed, and concrete and measurable indicators should be developed as well as efficient monitoring. Effective and rapid problem solving mechanisms should be established, including online dispute solution systems. The need to complete the Digital Single Market is necessary in order to promote growth and competitiveness.

E-commerce and e-procurement should be facilitated through concrete measures. Better instruments for cloud computing, including swift approval of the draft directive on data protection and a better framework for ensuring intellectual property rights are welcome. Public Procurement The ministers are expected to discuss state of play of the negotiations on the draft directive on public procurement. They are in particular expected to discuss the deadlines for introducing e-procurement and the division of tasks between the Commission and national authorities. It is not expected that they will reach agreement on a common approach.

The Council’s work is positive in this regard and we support a swift introduction of e-procurement in EU public procurement. This can be done simply by ensuring the possibility to collect and deliver tender and bidding material electronically. But there is still a need to go further in simplifying EU’s procurement rules. In this line, DI is extremely concerned about the EP’s draft report on the directive. Foreign Affairs Council (trade) Free Trade agreement EU/Japan The ministers will discuss the state of play of the preparations to start negotiations with Japan on an FTA.

The main challenges in the preparations have been disagreements on technical trade barriers, access to public procurement markets and the juridical connection of an FTA with a political framework agreement. While government hope for a finalisation of the scoping exercise during this presidential period, the outlook for the coming month seems quite bleak. Europe must promote free trade for growth. The EU should continue to pursue bilateral free trade agreements with emerging economies and strategic partners. The demand for reciprocity must not become an argument for protectionist measures. Instead of protectionism, the ongoing scoping exercise with Japan should be a steppingstone to begin real and ambitious negotiations, as it is clear that an FTA will have positive economic effects through increased trade and creation of jobs.

Green growth / green trade liberalization

The Council will discuss a paper from the Commission on how to liberalize the international market for green products. It is expected that most Member States will support the Commission’s intensified efforts to ensure market access for climate friendly products. This discussion is encouraging, as liberalization will contribute to European export and growth.

EU/US high-level working group for jobs and growth

The ministers will discuss the state of play of the transatlantic dialogue on trade and investment relations. Progress in the transatlantic cooperation is welcomed. EU-US relations are vital, as the two economies are closely intertwined. Eliminating transatlantic tariffs alone could boost EU GDP by 0.5 pct. But the agreement must be even more ambitious and go far beyond tariffs.

The high-level working group is expected to publish an interim report on their work in June this year. By eliminating barriers within tariffs, standards, investments and regulation between the transatlantic economies, we can create a sort of transatlantic Internal Market for goods, services and knowledge, and harvest the total potential of our large economies.

Informal General Affairs Council

The Multiannual Financial Framework

Building upon the result of today’s General Affairs Council, the Council will reconvene for an informal meeting on 10-11 June to finalise the so-called ‘negotiation tool box’ for the EU’s next multiannual financial framework (MFF). Before the MFF reaches the European Council of 28-29 June, the MFF negotiations will be handed over to the finance ministers at ECOFIN who will debate the overall size of the MFF and of the individual headings.

Growth policies are on the top of the political agenda for all European leaders. However, as most leaders are fiscally constrained, due to their commitment to balanced budgets, the reform of the MFF comes at a perfect time. Reform the budget and redirect EU’s funds so that every euro cent is used to invest in growth.

The reform of the EU budget is a growth opportunity – all the EU leaders have to do is turn ‘growth talk’ into action. For the business community the priorities are clear. Use the EU budget as a long-term investment tool. This means more funds to invest in infrastructure (transport, energy and ICT). It also means investing in research, innovation and development. To do this, without increasing the EU budget, the reform of the Common Agricultural Support must be significantly accelerated.

Financial and Economic Council

New VAT strategy

Ministers of ECOFIN adopted conclusions on a new VAT strategy. Improvements in the VAT system are important due to its’ impact on day-to-day business. The changes will improve the functioning of the Single Market, thus increase growth and tax revenues. The Council supports greater involvement of businesses in developing the VAT rules. For businesses it should be as simple to conduct business in other EU Member States as it is to operate at national level. In reality, studies show that companies have abstained from doing business in another EU country due to the burdens of VAT compliance.

The EU needs a VAT-strategy that sets the path for creating a simpler and harmonised VAT system. Such a system should facilitate intra-community trade to the extent that this trade is not significantly riskier, more burdensome or complicated as compared with domestic trade. Real improvements in the VAT system require political willingness and compromises by the Member States, but the benefit for all would be increased growth – and thus increased tax revenues. We hope that the Council will continue with an even more ambitious approach and agree on a strategy setting both short and long-term goals.

Capital Requirements Directive (CRD IV)

The Ministers also reached an agreement on a general approach on the Capital Requirement Directive. Responses to the regulatory failures which led to the financial crisis are welcome. Hopefully, they can prevent similar events from occurring in the future. Despite all good intentions, tighter capital requirements in the financial sector will have a wide impact on the real economy. The new framework will require banks to reduce their lending and increase the cost of credit. Moreover, banks are likely to become more reluctant to invest in companies. Altogether, this will impair companies’ access to finance and thus their ability to prosper and create growth.

At a time when economic recovery can only be ensured by increased corporate investment, the implementation of reform measures could create an overall shortage of finance. In particular, this will affect SMEs which are highly dependent on bank lending. Policymakers must obviously deal with regulatory failures. However, they must also ensure financing conditions for companies enabling them to create growth and jobs in Europe.

Forthcoming Commission Proposals

30 May 2012 Growth and employment: country specific recommendations and Convergence report 2012

6 June 2012 Single Market: communication to the June Council on deepening the Single Market for services and communication on strengthening its governance Energy: communication on renewable energy strategy Digital agenda: Regulation on electronic transactions in the internal market

12 June 2012 (in Strasbourg) Communication on the new integrated strategy against human trafficking

20 June 2012 Legislative proposal on the protection of financial interests of the EU including by criminal law

11 July 2012 Revision of directive on clinical trials in the pharmaceutical sector

Europe needs new ideas to boost its growth potential. Industrial innovation is one of the key drivers to improve our competitiveness. This is why the Commission is launching today a new public consultation, which is meant to provide input for the mid-term review of the industrial policy communication planned for September 2012. This review will focus on developing a limited number of new initiatives that can deliver substantial results in the short- to medium-term.

Moreover new policy initiatives should have a demonstrable and significant impact on competitiveness, growth and jobs. The European Commission draws the attention to this important component of its economic growth strategy on the occasion of today's Conference "Mission Growth: Europe at the Lead of the New Industrial Revolution".

The conference is expected to give strong impetus to the debate about new ideas for the growth strategy focusing on the real economy and industrial innovation in view of promoting a European leading role in the new technological development (see MEMO/12/383). High-ranking speakers at the conference include the President of the European Commission José Manuel Durão Barroso, Vice President Antonio Tajani, Professor Jeremy Rifkin, several EU Ministers and industrial leaders.

European Commission Vice President Antonio Tajani, responsible for Industry and Entrepreneurship said: "Europe's economy cannot survive in a sustainable way if it cannot rely on a strong and profoundly reshaped industrial base. Industry is a big contributor to the real economy producing real values. All efforts need to be undertaken to secure a modern, resource efficient, competitive and robust industry in Europe. I call on all who can and like to contribute to the planned reshape our industrial policy to let us know what they think should be done.

“Public Consultation webpage: http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/policies/industrial-competitiveness/index_en.htmMore information on industrial competitiveness

The consultation

The main objectives of the consultation are to discuss what policy priorities the European Commission should focus on and to gather recommendations from stakeholders on how to boost competitiveness of European industries. The public consultation will encourage stakeholders and others to consider questions like:

• Which are the major policy priorities facing European industry today?

• How can businesses themselves better respond to these issues?

• What can policymakers do to address the issues at Member state, local or regional level?

• What can policymakers do to address the issues at EU level? What are the issues covered by the consultation? The questionnaire identifies a number of key areas for possible policy intervention and asks for stakeholders' views on options for changes.

Some of the issues covered are the following:

• SME-friendly business environment and entrepreneurship

• Access to finance and risk capital • Industrial innovation and technologies policy

• Skills, restructuring and structural change

• Improving the Single Market

• ICT, internet and cross-border sales

• Better and more consistent regulation

• Energy infrastructure and competition

• Internal transport market

• Environmental regulations

• Resource-efficiency and recycling

• Energy and climate

• International market access and global competition

• Access to raw materials

The original industrial policy flagship adopted in October 2010 identified the importance of a strong, diversified and competitive industrial base for the EU economy and set out a strategy for industrial competitiveness, sustainable economic growth and job creation. The review will contain a comprehensive progress report on the implementation of this strategy and its reinforcement.

The public consultation runs until 7th August. A summary report will be published on the public consultation webpage.

In 2011, the European Ombudsman, P. Nikiforos Diamandouros, helped more than 22 000 European citizens, companies, NGOs, and associations, either by investigating complaints, answering information requests, or giving advice via his online interactive guide. More than 18 000 citizens used the guide to obtain advice on where to turn with their problems.

The Ombudsman received 2 510 complaints in 2011, compared to 2 667 in 2010. He opened a record number of 396 investigations into alleged maladministration by the EU administration. This represents an increase of 18% compared to the previous year, when 335 inquiries were opened.

In 2011, Spain, with 361 complaints, overtook Germany (308) with the greatest number of complaints, followed by Poland (233) and Belgium (190). Relative to population, however, the greatest proportion of complaints came from Luxembourg and Cyprus.

At the presentation of his Annual Report 2011 in Brussels, Mr Diamandouros said: "As well as helping thousands of European citizens to find solutions to their individual problems, my inquiries also benefit citizens more generally by contributing to the improvement of the quality and responsiveness of the EU administration, and by clarifying what the administration is doing and why. The inquiries into radiation levels in imported food after the Fukushima disaster, into potential conflicts of interest in EU institutions, and into the range of languages used in public consultations all illustrate this broader impact".

As in the past, the most common subject matter of the Ombudsman's inquiries in 2011 was lack of transparency in the EU administration, including refusal to release documents or information. A welcome development this year was that the percentage of transparency-related cases decreased from 33% in 2010 to 25%. Other cases concerned problems with the execution of EU contracts or calls for tender, unfairness, and discrimination.

In 66% of all inquiries closed in 2011 (212 cases), the Ombudsman was able to achieve a positive outcome, because the institutions concerned accepted a friendly solution proposal, settled a problem, or submitted a satisfactory reply. He found maladministration in 47 cases, a slight increase compared to 40 cases in 2010. Most of the inquiries opened in 2011 concerned the European Commission (58%), followed by the EU Agencies taken together (13%), the European Personnel Selection Office (11%), and the European Parliament (4%). In 2011, the Ombudsman transferred 1 288 complaints to national or regional ombudsmen in the Member States, the European Parliament's Petitions Committee, the European Commission, and other problem-solving mechanisms, such as SOLVIT or Your Europe Advice.

The Ombudsman's Overview 2011 (in the 23 official EU languages) and the full Annual Report (currently available in English, with the 22 other language versions to follow in July) are available at: http://www.ombudsman.europa.eu/activities/annualreports.faces The European Ombudsman investigates complaints about maladministration in the EU institutions and bodies. Any EU citizen, resident, or an enterprise or association in a Member State, can lodge a complaint with the Ombudsman.

The Ombudsman offers a fast, flexible, and free means of solving problems with the EU administration. For more information: http://www.ombudsman.europa.eu

Selection of 2011 cases

Commission clarifies food contamination levels after Fukushima accident

In March 2011, an earthquake and tsunami damaged the nuclear power plant in Fukushima, Japan.

The accident led to increased radioactive contamination. The Ombudsman received several complaints from citizens about a lack of information concerning changes made to the maximum permitted levels of radioactive contamination for foodstuffs imported from Japan to the EU. After the Ombudsman's investigation, the Commission submitted the requested clarifications and explained that, initially, the maximum radiation levels permitted in imported foodstuffs were higher than those permitted in Japan itself, but were lowered to the Japanese levels a few weeks later. http://www.ombudsman.europa.eu/en/press/release.faces/en/10844/html.bookmark

NGO receives EUR 70 000 from the Commission

The Ombudsman helped settle a dispute between the European Commission and the NGO Migration Policy Group (MPG) concerning an EU project launched as part of the "European Migration Dialogue". After an audit, the Commission issued a recovery order for more than EUR 130 000 because MPG had delivered supporting documents for staff costs too late. MPG complained about the "disproportionate" nature of the recovery order. The Commission eventually accepted the Ombudsman's friendly solution proposal and refunded EUR 70 000 to the NGO. http://www.ombudsman.europa.eu/en/press/release.faces/en/11209/html.bookmark

Potential conflicts of interest in 'revolving door' cases

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) in Parma is in charge of risk assessment in the EU regarding food and feed safety. Its role is to provide independent scientific advice, in collaboration with national authorities and other stakeholders. A German NGO turned to the Ombudsman, complaining that EFSA did not adequately address a potential conflict of interest concerning the move of the Head of EFSA's Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) Unit to a biotechnology company. After his investigation, the Ombudsman called on EFSA to strengthen its rules to avoid potential conflicts of interest in 'revolving door' cases. In March 2012, EFSA published new rules with a view to avoiding potential conflicts of interest. http://www.ombudsman.europa.eu/en/press/release.faces/en/11106/html.bookmark

Commission should publish public consultations in all EU languages

The European Commission regularly carries out public consultations in order to allow citizens, companies, and other stakeholders to participate in the EU's decision-making process. A Spanish lawyer complained that public consultations are often only published in English. The Ombudsman shared the complainant's view that citizens cannot be expected to participate in a consultation which they are unable to understand. According to the Ombudsman, multilingualism is essential for citizens to exercise their right to participate in the democratic life of the EU, which is guaranteed by the Lisbon Treaty. He called on the institution to publish its public consultation documents in all 23 EU languages or, alternatively, to provide translations upon request. http://www.ombudsman.europa.eu/en/press/release.faces/en/11057/html.bookmark

Progress towards a low-carbon economy in the EU and some of its Member States is falling dangerously behind current targets, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) has warned. To avoid missing its energy targets, the EU must accelerate progress and take society with it.
The warning came in the EESC's opinion on the Energy Roadmap 2050, which was adopted by the body's plenary session.

In the view of the Committee, the EU fails to recognise the extent to which it is falling short of its own targets. "The decline of heavily polluting production processes in the EU, their growth in other parts of the world and subsequent import into the EU disguise the extent of the shortfall", says Pierre Jean Coulon (Workers' Group, France), the opinion's rapporteur.

The EU aims to cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 80-95% by 2050 whilst simultaneously guaranteeing security and competitiveness of supply. The EESC is not urging new long-term targets, but it is pushing for clear medium-term goals that, if well monitored, would guide progress over the coming years.

As energy investments take decades to implement and pay off, it is in the best interest of the EU and its Member States to set indicative targets for 2030 and to back them up with appropriate policies, the EESC argues. Investment decisions are not helped by the pricing of carbon emissions, which the Committee deems "too low and volatile to give a useful signal to investors". "Changing this would avoid the lock-in of carbon-intensive plants", says Richard Adams, co-rapporteur of the opinion.

Energy efficiency is not being driven fast enough and Europe must step up its action to establish common standards for energy efficiency in all sectors, the EESC argues. Turning to renewables, it cites unsteady government support and in some cases local resistance as barriers to progress.

It is particularly dismayed at the slow pace of modernisation of grid and energy storage facilities. "Reaching the 2050 renewable targets will require very determined and consistent political leadership", says Mr Coulon.

In the short term, the investment needed to meet these targets will lead to energy price increases and extra costs for consumers and businesses, according to the Committee. This makes it more urgent to have all the effects "fully costed, debated and accepted by all concerned", it notes. "In the longer term, it will make the European economy more resilient and competitive globally than if it simply continues with present policies".

"Public acceptance of energy choices is a challenge for Europe's democracies today", says Mr Adams, adding: "The 2050 Roadmap must be used not only to launch the widest possible debate among Europeans, it should also promote engagement at every level – personal, regional, national and EU". "The challenge is not just to reach our objectives but to convince civil society that they are attainable", added Mr Coulon.

The Committee reiterated its call for the establishment of a European civil society forum to boost the flow of information within the EU by regularly bringing together all stakeholders for discussion of the energy transition up to 2050. 

As Libya gears up for its first elections in more than 60 years, EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton calls on Europe to rise to the challenge of assisting Libya in its post-revolutionary transformation. "The EU must be tireless in supporting the transition to a democratic, stable and prosperous Libya," she writes.

Ashton also says, "During none bitter months of conflict… the EU stood by the Libyan people in their efforts to create a better future. It is essential that we now renew our support." Newly appointed head of the EU delegation to Libya Peter Zsoldos writes that he is "optimistic" for Libya's future, but warns the EU to be prepared for "emotional political confrontation as Libyans find their democratic voice". The Parliament Magazine's Libya feature also includes exclusive coverage from Tripoli of the first EU-Libya civil society forum.

The Malta Information Technology Agency (MITA) through the eSkills Alliance and MEUSAC would like to invite the general public to a seminar on eSkills for Employment and Growth.

Wednesday, 6th June 2012 | 08:30 – 13:00 | MITA, St. Venera

The demand for eSkills has been growing rapidly in the last decade. Indeed it is envisaged that by 2015 90% of all jobs in Europe will require some set of eSkills whatever the service or service sector. Nevertheless a number of eSkills shortages, gaps, mismatches as well as a persistent digital divide are affecting productivity growth, competitiveness, innovation, employment and social cohesion in Europe. Malta, like other EU Member States, needs to secure a sufficient professional eSkills base and to enable its citizens to strengthen their eSkills in a process of effective lifelong learning. During this seminar, a number of speakers will highlight the relevance of eSkills across Europe, including Malta.

There will be two workshops which will tackle Lifelong learning in ICT, and the Industry’s perspective and employment opportunities arising from eSkills. The workshops will provide a platform to discuss the challenges and benefits arising from a strong eSkills base in Malta. This discussion will be helpful for policy-related discussions and formulations.

Refreshments will be served during the workshops.

Should you be interested in attending kindly contact by not later than Tuesday, 5th June 2012.

Olli Rehn, the European commissioner for economic and monetary affairs and the euro, issued a gloomy forecast about economic performance in the European Union on Friday (11 May) – but he insisted that there could be no alternative to the path of austerity.

The eurozone, where gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to decrease by 0.3%, is in recession and is not expected to start to recover until the second half on this year. The European Commission's spring economic forecast made particularly dismal reading for countries struggling to get their budget deficits under control. For Spain, where the economy is expected to contract by 1.8% in 2012, the Commission predicted “difficult times ahead”. Spain's deficit is now expected to be 6.4% of GDP, a long way above the government's target, agreed with the EU, of 5.3%.

Next year, the Commission predicts it to be barely reduced, at 6.3%, well above what is supposed to be a celing of 3%. The deficits of Greece, Portugal and France are all also likely to be larger than previously forecast. Rehn said that all the predictions were based on the assumption that government policies would not change – and that Spain's outlook could alter once the plans of the country's autonomous regions were confirmed. “The Commission has full confidence in the determination of the Spanish government to meet the fiscal target in line with the [stability and growth] pact,” Rehn said. “For Spain, the key to restoring confidence and growth is to tackle the immediate fiscal and financial challenges with full determination.

This calls for a very firm grip to curb the excessive spending of regional governments.” Luis de Guindos, Spain's economy minister, responded by saying that the country remained committed to the 5.3% target for this year and 3% for 2013. The latest forecasts for the EU and eurozone are worse than those predicted in the last report, in autumn 2011, but Rehn said that this was no reason for governments to stray from their austerity programmes. “We cannot pile debt over debt,” he said. “It is essential that we are continuing fiscal consolidation and in parallel boost growth by targeted investments.”

French challenges

François Hollande, France's president, said that he was aware of the worse-than-forecast deficit figures and blamed the former administration. “I've known for several weeks that there's been a worse deterioration of our public accounts than what the outgoing government has said,” he said on Friday. “Now we have the confirmation, and it's worth looking at and analysing. I will wait for the report from the Cour des Comptes [France's national audit office, expected at the end of June] before taking the necessary decisions.”

GDP is expected to stagnate across the EU as whole this year, contracting by 0.3% in the eurozone. Next year, growth is expected to return: it is forecast at 1.3% in the EU and 1% in the 17 countries of the eurozone. Rehn said that the recovery would be slow and “uneven” across member states. Unemployment is expected to remain at 10% in the EU and 11% in the eurozone, while inflation is forecast to edge down.

“A recovery is in sight,” Rehn said. “But the economic situation remains fragile, with still large disparities across member states.” Rehn said that there was “an ongoing adjustment of the fiscal and structural imbalances built up before and after the onset of the crisis”, and that this had been made worse by continuing weak economic sentiment.

The spring Consumer Scoreboard published this week on the occasion of the European Consumer Summit 2012 shows that in 2011 for the second year running after the fall in 2009 there were improvements in many EU countries. Consumer conditions are measured e.g. by consumer trust in authorities, retailers and consumer organisations, in the safety of products, the effectiveness of solving disputes and satisfaction with handling complaints. The Scoreboard also shows that consumers still cannot shop as easily across borders as they can at home, thereby missing out on greater choice and savings, with potential gains of as much as EUR 204 billion per annum.

John Dalli, Health and Consumer Policy Commissioner, said: "I call on national policymakers and stakeholders to use today's Scoreboard results to build a quality environment for consumers. Only consumers who are aware of their rights and know how to use them can fully exploit the potential of the Single Market to enhance innovation and growth, so it is vital to create the right conditions to harness that power to the benefit of the European economy, consumers and businesses."

The Scoreboard

The Consumer Scoreboard provides evidence and alerts about how the single market is performing for EU consumers in terms of choice, prices and protection of consumer rights. The spring edition ('Consumer Conditions Scoreboard') looks at the integration of the retail market and national conditions for consumers. It includes the Consumer Conditions Index which is calculated based on the quality of regulation concerning consumers and businesses, the effectiveness of resolving disputes and handling complaints, consumer trust in authorities, retailers, advertisers and consumer organisations, and the degree of trust in the safety of products on the market. This data allows Member States to benchmark their performance over time.

The Scoreboard is mainly based on surveys of consumers and retailers, Eurostat data as well as information received from Member States. Key findings Progress in national consumer conditions The 2011 index shows that consumer conditions have improved for the second year running after the fall in 2009. Consumers enjoy best conditions in Luxembourg, UK, Denmark, Austria, Ireland, Finland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, France and Sweden (Member States above the EU average). The e-commerce gap The Scoreboard shows that while e-commerce continues to grow, it remains largely domestic despite the clear potential in terms of choice and savings across borders. Efforts must be stepped up to exploit the full benefits of a truly single digital market. Consumers can be more confident shopping from other EU countries, as their worries about foreign sellers are shown to be largely unfounded and cross -border e-commerce appears to be at least as reliable as domestic e-commerce.

The findings suggest a key role for more effective information about existing cross-border advice, enforcement and redress mechanisms (network of national enforcement authorities, and the European Consumer Centres, which provide free help and advice to consumers shopping in the Single Market). Knowledge of consumer rights worryingly low Many consumers do not know their rights. Only 12% of respondents EU wide could answer questions about their consumer rights in relation to guarantees, cooling- off periods and what to do if they receive goods they never ordered. Many businesses were not aware of their legal obligations towards consumers. For example, only 27% of retailers knew how long consumers have to return defective products.

Unfair commercial practices persist Illegal business practices persist. Since 2010, more EU consumers and retailers have come across advertisements and offers which were misleading and deceptive, or even fraudulent and many more received goods they never ordered. 7 years after the adoption of the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive this is a cause for concern and must be addressed more actively. Authorities must enforce the rules which already exist to protect consumers, particularly vulnerable consumers, against such practices; consumers must be empowered to spot and avoid them; and it must be possible to have faster, easier and cheaper solutions to disputes with traders, both online and offline (see IP/11/1461).

The Commission will look into ways to step up enforcement in order to strengthen consumer confidence in cross-border transactions. This will be set out in a report in 2012 on the implementation of the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive. Looking to the future The new EU Consumer Agenda 2014-2020 aims to empower consumers and build their awareness and confidence by giving them the tools to participate actively in the market, to make it work for them, to exercise their power of choice and to have their rights properly enforced. Once adopted, the proposals currently on the table for mechanisms to solve disputes with traders without having to go to court (Alternative and Online Dispute Resolution – ADR/ODR), will help European consumers to sort out their problems, wherever and however they purchase a product or service in the EU.

Full Scoreboard: http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/strategy/facts_en.htm#5CMS

For more information: http://ec.europa.eu/consumers/consumer_research/editions/cms7_en.htm

Malta Enterprise is inviting businesses wishing to explore business opportunities in Sweden and Denmark to participate in a business and trade delegation to the cities of Stockholm and Copenhagen from the 3 – 8 September 2012.

Eligible enterprises include:

Manufacturers

Service providers

Licensing and Franchising

Companies seeking joint ventures and strategic alliances

Technology Transfer

Companies seeking R&D opportunities

 

Companies seeking to import finished products are NOT eligible.

 

As part of its assistance Malta Enterprise will endeavour to set-up one-to-one meetings for participants through its institutional networks. Malta Enterprise will also refund eligible participants up to 60% of flight costs and a per diem allowance. Refund is for one representative per participating company.

Application forms together with a €250 deposit should be sent to us or forwarded by hand by Friday 1st June, 2012. This deposit will be fully refunded together with the financial assistance referred to above after the event. In cases where a company cancels its participation, any cancellation costs incurred by Malta Enterprise on behalf of the company will be deducted from this deposit. For further information please contact Robert Falzon on 25423239 or