For Lourdes Acedo Montoya, Head of Unit for Coordination and Chief Economist (BUDG.01), competitiveness is one of the keys to growth in Europe. On Friday 13 February, she analysed the composition of the European budget, the challenges and the strategies to be followed to improve it from a financial point of view at the Official Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Belgium and Luxembourg.

The breakfast debate began with the presentation of the topic and the speaker by the president of the Chamber, Pablo López-Álvarez, who thanked the speaker and the attendees for their presence. Acedo Montoya then outlined the current and future European budget, indicating, among other things, that the focus is on critical technology-related sectors.

At the same time, she offered an analysis of the single market, access to STEP Seals and access to the European budget for different projects, as well as how to increase its transparency and funding opportunities, and how to adapt the future plan to a constantly changing world.

Following the speaker’s presentation, professionals from different fields who attended the meeting were able to raise different perspectives, doubts and questions with Acedo Montoya, which opened a debate on Europe’s current budget and how to include the private sector in this structure.