“Achieving our ambitions on sustainability, social progress, and higher living standards depends on a strong economic foundation. Yet, in recent years, the EU’s economic engine has slowed significantly. As highlighted in the Draghi Report, the EU must take decisive action to avoid the 'slow agony' of stagnation. Now it will be crucial to see delivery on the promise to make it easier to do business in Europe” this was the message of our Director General Markus J. Beyrer today at the Macroeconomic Dialogue with the European Central Bank and the EU institutions. Beyrer presented our new Economic Outlook: “The EU economy is projected to grow by just 0.9% in 2024 and 1.3% in 2025 – both figures are downward revisions of 0.3 and 0.5 percentage points compared to our last forecast. Over the two-year period from the second quarter of 2022 to the second quarter of 2024, the EU economy grew by only 1.2%. Businesses in the manufacturing sector continue to face challenging times as energy prices remain high compared to major competitors. Most worryingly, industrial capacity utilisation had fallen below 80% by September 2024, back to levels last seen in late 2020.” - Read more in the Economic Outlook
On October 28-29, industry leaders and policymakers from across Europe gathered in Sønderborg, Denmark, for the Powering European Industry conference. The conference discussed necessary strategies and action to reinvigorate European competitiveness. It was hosted jointly by our Danish member DI, Danfoss, the International Energy Agency and BusinessEurope. “Securing energy at competitive prices is central to preserving Europe’s industrial base and ensuring global competitiveness for European companies,” said our Director General Markus J. Beyrer. The high energy costs place Europe at a significant disadvantage compared to other major economies, underlined our recent energy study, conducted in partnership with Compass Lexecon.
How can we improve conditions for productive investment and facilitate the creation of quality jobs in Europe? This crucial question was the focus of discussions between the European social partners and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, ahead of the European Council meeting addressing the competitiveness challenges in the light of the Letta and Draghi reports. “The next 18 months will be crucial to give clear signals to European companies and foreign investors. Meeting Europe’s substantial investment needs requires first and foremost improving the EU attractiveness as a location for private investment”– emphasised President Fredrik Persson. Persson added: “If well designed, employment and social policy can enhance Europe’s competitiveness and productivity”. On this occasion, we also presented BusinessEurope’s“Priorities for the EU’s social dimension in 2024-2029”. - Read the speech
On 2 October, we brought together industry leaders, policymakers, and experts to address a pressing question: How can the EU achieve its ambitious climate and energy targets while remaining internationally competitive?
In a fireside chat with Euronews journalist Angela Barnes, our President Fredrik Persson delved into the findings of our in-depth study conducted in collaboration with Compass Lexecon. “We did not want to question the 2050 climate neutrality target. The study was modelling an ‘optimistic’ scenario and ‘politics-as-usual' scenario for the green transition. And both of these scenarios reach climate neutrality, but at different costs to society and companies”, he stated. Persson pointed out that even in the optimistic scenario, by 2050, energy costs in Europe could still be at least 50% higher than those in the US, China, and India.- Read more
In a new position paper, we stress that the EU must use the new legislative cycle to reboot its trade agenda. To rebalance the focus placed in recent years on its defensive toolkit, the EU must develop an ambitious diversification strategy.
Welcoming the much-anticipated report on the future of the EU’s competitiveness, presented today by Professor Mario Draghi, BusinessEurope President Fredrik Persson said:
"We welcome the release of this comprehensive report and extend our gratitude to Professor Draghi and his team for the extensive work. The report will undoubtedly play a critical role in shaping future EU strategies and policies.
A stark and alarming conclusion of the report is that the European Union is lagging behind its global competitors – a reality that European companies experience daily. We fully endorse the call for a frank and urgent discussion on the disruptive measures the EU must adopt to regain its competitive edge. BusinessEurope has long advocated for a reboot in European policies as we enter the next institutional cycle." - Read more
04/11/2024
Press releases
EU must act decisively to avoid the ‘slow agony’ of stagnation
30/10/2024
Event
Powering European Industry conference: Urgent call for a new industrial strategy
16/10/2024
Speeches
EU leaders and social partners discuss actions to improve competitiveness ahead of the European Council
03/10/2024
Event
EU’s path to decarbonising without deindustrialising
19/09/2024
Video messages
Business calls for a proactive, creative and forward-looking EU trade agenda
09/09/2024
Press releases
Welcoming Draghi report, we call for urgent action to restore the EU’s competitive edge
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