Yesterday, Thursday 28th April, the Official Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Belgium and Luxembourg held in Brussels a new luncheon-debate with Kerstin Jorna, Director General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs of the European Commission. The theme of the event revolved around the Fit for Future strategy of the EU, which aims to establish a roadmap for the creation of an industrially competitive Europe.

More than 70 participants attended the event, including Chamber members, business executives, delegates from the Autonomous Communities and representatives of Spanish and European organisations.

The event was inaugurated by Pablo López Álvarez, President of the Chamber, who thanked all those present for their attendance. He dedicated a few words of special recognition to the extensive career of the speaker, Jorna, and her long trajectory dedicated to the European project. López-Álvarez also highlighted the current complex geopolitical situation due to the war in Ukraine and the still lingering consequences of the pandemic and its effects on the industrial fabric of the Eurozone.

The President of the Chamber also introduced Toon Digneffe, board member of EUCOPE – European Confederation of Pharmaceutical Entrepreneurs, and sponsor of the event. Digneffe briefly introduced his organisation, Europe’s leading trade body for innovative small and medium-sized enterprises working in the field of biopharmaceuticals and medical technologies. He also stressed the importance of continuing to build the European value chain through collaboration between the business community.

Internal market of the EU

Jorna dedicated her speech to a brief review of the consequences of the pandemic, the war in Ukraine and its implications for the internal market of the European Union. She stressed that the current context has served to identify the importance of a stable supply chain for Europe, which, according to her, must be based on collaborative ecosystems that take advantage of the EU’s own resources.

The speaker took the opportunity to affirm that European industrial policy is more necessary than ever, and that it must play a key role in the transformations that the European economic model must undergo in the coming decades. Jorna pointed out the importance of creating an excellent environment for attracting private capital, which will ultimately be the fundamental pillar for making possible the development of a new sustainable industrial and economic model for the future.

The presentation was followed by a question-and-answer session where participants were able to express their opinions and raise different issues related to the presentation.

From the Chamber we would like to show a special thanks to Bodegas Madrid Romero, whose wines “Vino Tinto Madrid Romero” and “3 Calas Sauvignon Blanc” could be tasted by all the attendees, as well as the participants, making this event a very successful luncheon-debate.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last Tuesday 22nd February, the Official Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Belgium and Luxembourg organised a new luncheon-debate with the participation of Gerassimos Thomas, Director General for Taxation and Customs Union – DG TAXUD at the European Commission. The theme of the event revolved around the role of the energy tax, the CBAM and the implications for customs authorities reflected in the new European Green Deal and was sponsored by the firm Van Bael & Bellis.

The conference was opened by Pablo López-Álvarez, President of the Chamber, who took the opportunity to thank all those present for their attendance, and then dedicated a few words of special recognition to the extensive career of the speaker Gerassimos Thomas and his long trajectory in European institutions. López-Álvarez also highlighted the complex situation Europe is facing in relation to energy and the importance of a regulatory framework adapted to the current context.

The President of the Chamber also introduced Pablo Muñiz, partner at Van Bael & Bellis and sponsor of the event. Muñiz briefly introduced his company, a leading international law firm in European commercial law and international law, and highlighted the intense work that European regulators are currently facing in imposing different taxonomic tools in many different areas of activities, and then handed over the floor to Gerassimos Thomas.

Taxation tools

Thomas, dedicated his speech to explaining the different tax and regulatory tools currently available to the EU to meet the objectives set out in the European Green Deal, in relation to the reduction of greenhouse gases and the stimulation of environmentally friendly energy.

In this context, Thomas stressed that the package of measures promoted by the European Commission’s Executive Vice-President for the European Green Deal, Frans Timmermans, brought together the various political and administrative tools to address the challenges posed by the current climate situation.

Thomas also took the opportunity to stress the continued concern of the European authorities about the sustained increase in energy prices. He also pointed out that the best way to avoid future instabilities is to follow the path set out by the EU Green Deal and continue to focus on the transition to a supply system that comes from renewable sources and closer geographical location.

Focusing on how European industries must transform themselves to adapt to the challenges posed by packages such as the Fit for 55, Thomas clarified that the answer cannot come from the regulatory framework alone, stressing that taxation tools can and should play a key role in providing concrete incentives for companies to move forward and adapt to the current situation.

Descarbonisation

With regard to the CBAM (Border Carbon Adjustment Mechanism), Thomas advanced that it will be a key tool for making external EU producers assume greater climate ambition when it comes to decarbonising their production processes in a similar way to that which European companies will be obliged to do. This will reduce the competitive advantage of companies located outside the European area and will encourage third countries to take concrete measures in the fight against global warming, thus promoting sustainable production.

Thomas dedicated the last few minutes of his speech to stressing the importance of compliance by European importers with all regulatory measures regarding products entering the common market. He also highlighted the constant coordination of the European authorities with the economic and productive sectors most affected by the energy transition and the importance of advancing in this transition in a coordinated manner, without forced impositions and an agreed timetable, thus promoting a stable commitment to the future.

After the presentation, a round of questions began, where the participants were able to express their opinions and ask different questions about what had been presented. Among the issues that aroused most interest were the doubts about the possibilities of not passing on the increase in energy prices to end consumers, as well as the importance of raising awareness among citizens to consume products that, although more expensive, are identified with the values that Europe wants to promote in relation to an environmentally neutral society.

From the Chamber we would like to show a special thanks to Atavus Priorat, whose wines IURA 2011 and Buen Karma 2019 could be tasted by all the attendees, as well as to the participants, for making this event a very successful lunch-debate.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On Tuesday 8 February, the Official Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Belgium and Luxembourg organised a luncheon-debate in Brussels with Marcos Alonso, Ambassador Permanent Representative of Spain to the European Union, sponsored by Indra. The theme of the event revolved around the European debate and its evolution until the Spanish presidency in 2023. More than 70 participants attended the event, including members of the Chamber, business executives, delegates of Autonomous Communities and representatives of Spanish and European organisations.

The day was opened by Pablo López-Álvarez, President of the Chamber, who began his speech by expressing his enthusiasm to be able to resume the traditional luncheon-debates of our organisation and thanking all the attendees for their presence at the event. He then presented the extensive career of our guest speaker, Marcos Alonso, highlighting the excellent relations between the Chamber and the Permanent Representation of Spain to the EU.

López-Álvarez also introduced David Luengo, Managing Director of Indra in Brussels, and sponsor of the event. Luengo presented his company, an international benchmark in consultancy and technology, and highlighted the current and future importance of technology in European policies, as well as the opportunity that the recovery funds represent for the transformation of Europe. He also emphasised Indra’s determination to lead European projects that provide greater recognition to the company’s products and foster its international expansion, and then gave the floor to Marcos Alonso.

Alonso began by explaining various key aspects of the current state of the debate on the European Union and the great opportunity that opens up for Spain with its presidency in 2023, to continue to lead the EU’s coordinated response to the different challenges that must be faced with its proposals.

Priorities

Alonso stressed that the pandemic has not changed the priorities set by both the Commission and the Parliament for this policy cycle, but has even served as an impetus for accelerating them and for the commitment to a recovery that places value on the green and digitalised transition.

During his speech, Alonso devoted much of his time to explaining the lines of work that will undoubtedly have to be present when Spain is in charge of presiding over the EU Council. Among them, he highlighted the promotion of the Schengen area as a great achievement of all EU members, and the new framework of relations that must be built with the United Kingdom, given its position as a strategic partner of the Union and particularly for Spain.

In the strictly economic sphere, Alonso highlighted the commitment of the EU-27 to offer a coordinated response to the pandemic through the mutualisation of debt and the distribution of funds aimed at the economic transformation of the continent.

After the presentation, a round of questions was opened, where participants were able to make their opinions known and raise different questions about what had been presented. Among the doubts clarified at the event were various issues such as the position that Spain will take to promote EU relations with Latin America and the difficulties of coordination within the European Institutions.

The Chamber would like to express its special thanks to Bodegas Campoameno, whose Syrah Barrica and Chardonnay wines could be tasted by all the attendees, as well as to the participants, for making this event a very successful luncheon-debate.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On October 15th 2021, the Official Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Belgium and Luxembourg organised a new virtual breakfast in the framework of its “Business Circle” platform. Carlos Romero Duplá, Counsellor for Digital Transformation at the Permanent Representation of Spain to the EU, participated in the debate.

The topic of the breakfast was “European digital policy: recent advances and future prospects”.

Pablo López Álvarez, President of the Chamber and moderator of the event, welcomed and briefly introduced the speaker and thanked him and all the attendees for their presence.

Carlos Romero Duplá began his speech by referring to the digital revolution and strategies that are currently being presented.

He began the discussion mentioning the importance of the renovation of networks and the analysis carried out by the European Commission. In that last point, he highlighted the shortage of components, basic manufacturers, geopolitics and cybersecurity, that block European economic growth.

Then, the speaker detailed the importance of the first regulation issued in Europe on artificial intelligence and data protection, which has been a benchmark for other countries.

Romero also added that Europe must be digitally sovereign in those areas in which it can be successful, refering the regulatory paradigms in artificial intelligence and the potential of the exploitation of the data that Europe produces.

In addition, he set out some of the most important pillars in the digital revolution such as the platform economy, artificial intelligence and the Data act. He pointed out the importance of regulating with a “leverage spirit” by generating a free movement ecosystem to drive industrial development, focusing on ethics as had been done before, but knowing how to easily put it into practice.

Carlos Romero also briefly mentioned the eagerly awaited Data Act initiative, which is due to be published in December this year. Which will try to solve problems in the data sector by avoiding oligopolies in data retention.

Finally, the Counsellor for Digital Transformation stressed that the pandemic has accelerated Europe’s digital adaptation. Consequently, with its new strategy, the Commission not only wants to legislate, but also to develop a review. To this end, it will produce an annual report with objectives, consequences, multi-country projects, etc. Among the countries supporting it, he named Germany, Italy, France and Spain.

Spanish companies are joining this digital revolution that the Commission wants to develop. Romero believes that electronic identification will allow a diversification on the portfolios of information, which  will give added value and recognition of digital rights, giving value to citizens.

During the question and answer time, attendees were able to express their doubts and comments on numerous issues of interest. Thus, topics such as the European health area- the initial position, current context and future prospects-, connectivity and the digitalization aspirations were discussed, a special mention was made to roaming as one of the great achievements for communication within Europe. Then, it was discussed the initiative to the transition to both 5G and 6G, the importance of being able to access data from different sectors, the digitisation of infrastructure, the transformation of the economy and the successful connectivity of Europe.

From the Official Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Belgium and Luxembourg we would like to thank Carlos Romero Duplá and all the attendees for their participation.

On Wednesday 16 of June, 2021, the Official Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Belgium and Luxembourg organized another virtual debate in the scope of its platform “Business Circle”, a meeting platform between Spanish companies to their institutional representatives. In this debate took part José Antonio Zamora, Coordinating Counsellor for Trade of the Permanent Representation of Spain to the European Union.

The topic of this debate hinged on “Where is the EU trade policy heading, prospects after the US-EU Summit”.

Pablo López Álvarez, Vice-President of the Chamber and moderator of the event, welcomed the participants and briefly presented the speaker, whose presence and the participants’ appreciated.

José Antonio Zamora briefly discussed in the first place the EU “open autonomy” concept and the Spanish role in terms of commercial openness.

Thereupon the speaker explained the different results of the US-EU Summit, underlining the different changes in the relationship with the new Biden administration. In general, he highlighted in a positive way the new agenda, which includes propositions such as the new Bilateral Council for Commerce and Technology, the resolution of disputes between Boeing and Airbus, new investment controls and different actions regarding cybersecurity.

He also mentioned the progress made towards the reduction disputes introduced by the former US administration, by engaging in talks to solve the commercial war with the EU through tariffs reduction in the steel and aluminium sector, as well as, in digital and technological sectors.

Regarding the UE commercial relations with other countries, Zamora explained the good relationship with MERCOSUR countries, Mexico and Chile, with some bilateral agreements already closed or in their final stages, as well as future collaborations to be explored with Australia and New Zealand. India is also included among the countries which proposed to explore new commercial treaties by 2024, although with certain reservations from EU officials.

Finally, the speaker set some pending challenges after the EU- US Summit, such as the restoration of the Open Method for Coordination (OMC) functioning, currently blocked by the US, or the resolution of positions regarding the vaccines’ intellectual property liberalization by the US.

During the questioning time, the participants were able to express their doubts and to make comments about numerous matters of interest. Thus, different topics were discussed such as the OECD bilateral commercial agreement, the changes in the Biden administration in respect to the former one, the MERCOSUR agreement’ elements to be improved or the differences between the new India proposition and the former one and finally the US position in terms of pharmaceutical intellectual property liberalization.

The Official Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Belgium and Luxembourg would like to heartly express its gratitude to José Antonio Zamora for his participation in the debate and to all participants for their presence.