European Association of Chambers of Commerce and Industry

EUROCHAMBRES is the European Association of Chambers of Commerce and Industry and forms one of the key pillars of business representation to the European institutions. EUROCHAMBRES voices the interests of over 20 million member enterprises in 45 European countries through a network of 2000 regional and local Chambers represented by 45 national and one transnational organisations. More than 93 % of these enterprises are Small or Medium Enterprises. Chamber members employ over 120 million employees. EUROCHAMBRES is the sole European body that serves the interests of every sector and every size of European business - due to the multi sectoral membership of Chambers - and the only one so close to business, as a result of the Chambers’ regional focus.

Argentina: respect the international rules of commerce — 18 April 2012, 18:49 CET

Today, EUROCHAMBRES and BUSINESSEUROPE addressed a letter to the President of Argentina Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, expressing their utmost concern over the recent adoption of trade restrictive measures and the sudden expropriation of YPF, owned by one of the largest European investors in Argentina.

Capital Requirements Directive: Chambers call for solutions to safeguard SME lending — 22 March 2012, 17:03 CET

At a breakfast meeting of the SME Intergroup of the European Parliament today, EUROCHAMBRES’ Secretary General Arnaldo Abruzzini called on the European Parliament to ensure no negative impact of the Capital Requirements Directive (CRDIV) on SME lending.

Energy Efficiency Directive: European Parliament committee report overlooks SMEs — 29 February 2012, 17:07 CET

EUROCHAMBRES has criticised the report on the revised Energy Efficiency Directive adopted today by the European Parliament's ITRE Committee for inadequately reflecting the needs of Europe’s business community.

Competitiveness Council: lending to the economy and patent agreement still missing — 23 February 2012, 23:11 CET

EUROCHAMBRES was pleased with the overall direction of last night’s Competitiveness Council results, but disappointed by the lack of concrete steps and commitments regarding lending to the economy and the European patent agreement.

EUROCHAMBRES outlines business priorities to Danish Presidency — 09 February 2012, 22:34 CET

In a meeting in Copenhagen with senior representatives of the Danish Presidency, including Pia Olsen Dyhr, Minister for Trade and Investment and Acting Minister for Health, EUROCHAMBRES' President Alessandro Barberis highlighted three specific aims that the Danish Presidency should focus on in its efforts to develop a more favourable business environment.

New patent system favourable to SMEs — 06 December 2011, 23:58 CET

Today’s Council agreement on a unitary protection for patents and the translation system has been long awaited by small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) according to EUROCHAMBRES, the European association of Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

Europe’s businesses pin hopes on exports for tough 2012 — 28 November 2011, 13:27 CET

A EUROCHAMBRES survey of nearly 70,000 businesses across 25 European countries highlights export markets as the main source of optimism for 2012, a year that will otherwise be characterised by restricted investment, negligible job creation and constrained domestic sales.

'Erasmus for All' or for some? — 24 November 2011, 00:03 CET

"Erasmus will remain for some and not for all", said Arnaldo Abruzzini, Secretary General of EUROCHAMBRES, commenting on today's proposals by the European Commission for the 2014-2020 education programme 'Erasmus for All'.

C20 takes position on G20 issues — 03 November 2011, 18:49 CET

Ahead of this week’s G20 Summit in Cannes, France, a group of Chambers belonging to the C20 group* [or the C20 group] calls for a coordinated global effort intended to put the world economy back on track of strong, sustainable and balanced growth.

Declaration on restoring confidence in Europe's economy — 27 October 2011, 18:09 CET

Europe’s business community – especially smaller companies - is suffering during the current crisis: bank lending is tighter and costlier, the economic outlook is uncertain, growth has come to a standstill and the main currency is the subject of countless rescue packages.

European Contract Law proposal: an appealing idea that requires closer examination — 13 October 2011, 22:51 CET

The European Commission proposal for a European contract law regime seems appealing at first glance, but still needs to be carefully assessed.

Enterprise Europe Network: a key component of EU SME support — 27 September 2011, 18:16 CET

During the opening session of the annual conference of the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) today in Warsaw, EUROCHAMBRES President Alessandro Barberis reiterated the Chambers' continuing support for the network, while highlighting two ways to improve its impact and efficiency.

Business leaders call for more European investments in the Mediterranean — 21 September 2011, 23:07 CET

"Europe must support economically the Southern Mediterranean after the challenges of the Arab spring. A combination of concrete actions and the development of a stable and transparent investment policy in the Mediterranean countries will pave the way for a sustainable increase in foreign direct investment (FDI) in the region. Programmes such as Invest in Med could be an effective step in this direction," said Alessandro Barberis, President of EUROCHAMBRES, today in his speech at the EUROMED INVEST Business Summit in Alexandria, Egypt.

New Multiannual Financial Framework: evolution rather than revolution — 30 June 2011, 13:44 CET

EUROCHAMBRES supports the proposed 5% increase in the post-2013 EU budget, while regretting the minimal shifts in how the funds will be spent.

Energy Efficiency Directive: incentives and targeted information rather than obligations — 22 June 2011, 21:06 CET

While supporting the aim of providing an encouraging legal framework to contribute to the EU’s target of 20% increased energy efficiency by 2020, EUROCHAMBRES has certain concerns about the European Commission’s new proposal for an Energy Efficiency Directive. The approach of binding measures would create unnecessary burdens compared to a voluntary approach based on advisory services to better inform and encourage energy consumers to increase energy efficiency.

Consumer Rights Directive: a costly vote for businesses — 24 March 2011, 23:01 CET

"Today's vote shows that Members of the European Parliament have lost sight of one of the key objectives of the on the Consumer Rights Directive, which was to cut legal costs for businesses wishing to sell cross-border," said Arnaldo Abruzzini, Secretary General of EUROCHAMBRES.

Energy Efficiency Plan: Chambers endorse focus on swift implementation rather than binding targets — 10 March 2011, 23:20 CET

EUROCHAMBRES today welcomed the Commission's Energy Efficiency Plan and endorsed the focus on the effective and accelerated implementation of existing measures, rather than making the EU's energy efficiency target mandatory.

Small Business Act Review: Chamber survey corroborates focus on stronger governance — 23 February 2011, 19:44 CET

EUROCHAMBRES today endorsed the focus on governance in the Commission’s newly adopted Communication on the Review of the Small Business Act (SBA).

Chamber survey confirms bottle-necks to business growth — 15 December 2010, 23:35 CET

According to a new survey, coordinated by the Danish Chamber of Commerce and EUROCHAMBRES across 18 European countries, businesses suffer from a common set of obstacles to their economic growth.

EUROCHAMBRES disappointed by 'Agenda for new skills and jobs' — 24 November 2010, 13:08 CET

EUROCHAMBRES has expressed its scepticism about the contribution of the European Commission's "Agenda for new skills and jobs" to the EU's 75% employment target for 2020.

New EU Trade Strategy strong on objectives, but weak on instruments — 11 November 2010, 23:04 CET

EUROCHAMBRES strongly welcomes the focus of the new Trade Strategy outlined by the European Commission today, in so much that its main objectives are in line with the priorities identified by the business community.

European and Indian private sector sign a new alliance — 28 October 2010, 23:03 CET

A new agreement to support European businesses with an interest in the Indian market was launched today: EUROCHAMBRES signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with CII, the Confederation of Indian Industry.

Parliament's vote crucial in eradicating Europe's late payment culture — 21 October 2010, 22:29 CET

"Today’s European Parliament adoption of the recast Late Payment Directive represents an important step in curbing the late payment culture which affects the cash flow of businesses across the EU", said Arnaldo Abruzzini, Secretary General of EUROCHAMBRES.

Eurochambres Logo — 20 October 2010, 23:48 CET

Eurochambres Logo

Chambers question research focus of Innovation Union — 07 October 2010, 13:47 CET

EUROCHAMBRES has expressed concern about the disproportionate emphasis on research in the European Commission’s “Innovation Union”. Despite an apparent recognition of the many shapes, forms and sources of innovation by the new Commission in recent months, Chambers interpret this communication as a return to a research-driven strategy.