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| Working Groups |
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| SME Global Events |
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| 2007 |
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| 2007-02-27, SME Global Working Breakfast on Roaming Tariffs & SMEs: For an Improved Common Market |
Professional impulse statements, various opinions and a fruitful discussion lead to a common progress. After a short introduction Paul Rübig MEP, EP Rapporteur for Roaming Report, pointed out the importance of the change in roaming tariffs when facing 25 million SMEs in Europe. Furthermore he emphasized the need of transparency within the mobile communications business. Not only the fact that the EU faces approximately 6,400 bilateral agreements led Rudolf Strohmeier, Head of Cabinet Office of European ICT Commissioner Viviane Reding to the statement that we must not forget the protection of the consumer to ensure a clear overview over prices. Frank Krüger, Telecom and ICT Attaché of German Permanent Representation stressed that the EU needs tariffs for all new contracts by default to reach common limits and consumer protection in a reasonable way. Gunnar Hökmark MEP, rapporteur on the Broadband Report noted the fact that neutrality plays an important role and highlighted the risks of any price regulation. The aim now is to create a more SME friendly framework for the common modulated mobile communication market. Finally on 8 March 2007 the EPP-ED hearing on the regulation on roaming took place at the parliament, representing one further milestone of the creation of a more common internal market. |
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| 2006 |
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| 2006-10-03, WTO Working breakfast – Transatlantic Cooperation to Restart the Doha Round |
SME Global in cooperation with SME UNION and the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) organised a successful Working Breakfast with the title “WTO – Transatlantic Cooperation to Restart the Doha Round” on Monday, 3 October 2006 in the European Parliament in Brussels. The introduction and moderation was in charge of Paul Rübig MEP and President of SME Global, who emphasised the delivering of trust and necessary information to the Members of Parliament particularly about WTO issues. He summarized positive achievements of Hong Kong, which calls for further negotiations on issues that have been unresolved for the last five years. Steve Biegun, Chairman of NAM and Vice President of the Ford Motor Company demonstrated the need of enlarging the debate from agriculture to manufacturers and services. The European Union has to put pressure on increasing competition, bilateral Free Trade Agreements cannot be the solution. Furthermore Germany has to take leadership in being the voice of Europe as they are the largest exporter of the world. Mauro Petriccione, the Coordinator of WTO and Economic Cooperation and Development matters in the European Commission focused on the topic “Transatlantic Cooperation” to include the G20 countries besides the European Union and the United States, precisely because the 2003 talks in Cancún failed since the interests of G20 were not enough considered. |
International Relations Director of UNICE, Adrian van den Hoven advised the European Union and the United States to solve their agricultural differences for liberalizing trade in the whole world especially bearing in mind the increasing competition from the emerging markets in India, China and Brazil. He carried on explaining the importance of UNICE and NAM working together, especially to concentrate again to fight against non-tariff barriers considering the Singapore issues. The Senior Adviser of International Trade of EuroCommerce, Ralph Kamphöner set priorities on simple procedures and better rules in the WTO to achieve more sustainability, clarity and predictability. Nathalie Lecocq, Economic Affairs Director of Confederation of Food and Drink Industries of the European Union pictured the world without the WTO, consequently with numerous disputes and more trade disruptions. She referred to the European Union and United States transatlantic discussion of being necessary, but not yet sufficient without the G20 countries on board. Finally MEP Christof Fjellner pointed out the even more supportive attitude of the developing countries as regards the support for trade liberalisation and globalisation. |
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| 2005 |
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| 2005-12-18, Hong Kong, SME Global President Rübig at WTO Conference |
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SME Global President MEP Paul RÜBIG and the Delegation of the European Parliament are only partially satisfied with the results of the WTO-Conference. The main positive element is the fact that the Conference was able to agree on a document that calls for further negotiations on issues that have been unresolved for the last five years. Compared to the importance of the political, administrative and financial investment, the return in terms of influence on the process and visibility has not met the level of ambition. At this stage, there is a need to reassess fundamentally the way the European Parliament ensures its presence in the WTO Ministerial meetings. |
| 2005-06-21, EU & China Conference: The Growing Role of Private Business |
More than 160 guests, including Jacques Santer, President of SME UNION, Guan Chengyoung Ambassador of the Chinese Mission to the EU, Christos Folias Deputy Finance Minister of Greece, Christoph Leitl, President of EuroChambres, numerous MEPs and representatives of various Brussels based SME interest groups, gathered at 8.30 in the morning in the Committee of the Regions to discuss the Growing Role of Private Business in China and its impact on SMEs in Europe. The second broad issue, which was in the spotlight of the speakers, was the crucial role of the WTO regarding the economic interplay between the EU and China. |
Fostering the economic interplay and cultural exchange
Jacques Santer emphasized the success story of the 30 years diplomatic relations between the EU and China. The Chinese Ambassador stressed the fact and explained how the Chinese Government is fostering and strengthening the role of private business in China. Christos Folias pointed out that the internal European economic situation is colouring the political relations between the EU and China. Christoph Leitl believes that only a certain amount of trust can ensure a sound economic interplay between the two powers. Xavier Durieu, Secretary General of EuroCommerce, dwelled on the point that Europe has to face the Chinese competition with qualitative advantage instead of protecting its market.
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Europe’s future is not in low-tech textiles
The second panel was composed by the Swedish MEP Gunnar Hökmark, Peter Waumas a Professor at the Shenzen University, Dirk Vantyghem from Eurochambres, Dean Spinanger a Trade Expert from the Kiel Institute for World Economics and Sylvain Plasschaert a Professor at the University of Leuven. They all came to the conclusion that Europe should non waste its energy and efforts in protecting the low-tech textile industry, because this is not going to be the future for Europe.
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Creating a level playing field for European SMEs in China
At the third round experts from different institutions gathered to discuss the opportunities and threats for European SMEs on the Chinese market. Rupert Schlegelmilch represented the Commission, Zhang Xiatong represented the Chinese Mission to the EU, Peter van Beek was displaying the point of view of entrepreneurs, which are engaged with China, Othmar Karas was representing the Delegation for relation with China of the European Parliament, Patrick Itscher was fighting for the interests of the Trade Union Federation – Textiles Clothing and Leather and Ralph Kamphöner represented EuroCommerce. The better part of the speakers saw in China an opportunity rather than a threat. Peter Jungen, the President of the European Enterprise Institute closed the panel sending the message, that Europe should get rid of the rampant risk avoidance mentality, to be more competitive in comparison with China.
The event was followed by a lively discussion.
Program of Press Conference |
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Program of China Conference |
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| 2004 |
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| 2004-11-24, Stronger Involvement of SMEs in the New Global Market |
The SME UNION and SME Global hosted on November 24th 2004 a breakfast debate at the European Parliament on a stronger involvement of SMEs in the new global market. SME Global represents the global framework of Small Medium Enterprises as well as the link between business and politics of the centre right all over the world. The breakfast was structured as a one and a half hour discussion including MEPs, Commission and Council officials, industry representatives and other Brussels based stakeholders. Moderation: Paul RÜBIG MEP, President of SME Global, Impulse-Statements were given by Jean-Luc ABRIVARD, Head of Unit, DG Enterprise, European Commission; Haleh BRIDI, Special Representative to the EU, World Bank; Francis CARPENTER, CEO European Investment Fund; Xavier R. DURIEU, Secretary General, EuroCommerce; Dirk VANTYGHEM, Director International Affairs, Eurochambres and Mark VON DER HORST, Chair of Trade and External Affairs Committee, American Chamber of Commerce to the EU.
At the Cancún session, it was decided to establish the Rules of the Parliamentary Conference on the WTO. The Steering Committee has prepared a draft of such Rules which it submits to the Conference for adoption. At the end of the session, the participants will be invited to consider and adopt an outcome document, the draft of which will be prepared by the Conference Steering Committee.
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