Address by President Tajani to European Parliament of Enterprises 

European Parliament President, Antonio Tajani, delivered the opening address at the “European Parliament of Enterprises” today. Bringing together lawmakers and stakeholders, the conference addresses challenges facing European companies today. From how to deal with skilled labour shortages, to maximising the benefits of EU trade policy for our enterprises, as well as harnessing the future of Europe to ensure that the EU continues to be “ready for business”, strengthened by a solid single market and a stable economy.

An excerpt from President Tajani’s speech:

“Without work there is no dignity. One of the EU's main priorities should be to work to make Europe more SME-friendly. They account for 85% of new jobs and two thirds of private employment in the EU. That is why we need to work towards a Union that is fit for purpose: you are the real economy and your concerns must also be ours.

“By working to support the competitiveness of our SMEs, we ensure healthy growth, jobs for young people and reduce economic and social imbalances between our regions.

“All our policies, from the internal market to energy, digital, investment, research, credit, training or international trade must provide our businesses with the best conditions to compete on the global stage.

“Only at the EU level can we respond to the major challenges we face: the technological revolution, competition from economic giants such as the USA, China or India, climate change, consumer protection or property rights.”

To watch the speech in full, please click here

Background:

Eurochambres is the Association of European Chambers of Commerce and Industry. The association is one of the largest business representative organisations in Brussels, representing over 20 million companies through 45 members (43 national associations of chambers of commerce and industry and 2 transnational chamber organisations) and a European network of 1,700 regional and local Chambers. More than 93% of these businesses are small and medium sized enterprises.

The Fifth European Parliament of Enterprises is the largest event at EU level giving the floor directly to entrepreneurs. It is organised once every two years by Eurochambres. The first one took place in October 2008 on the occasion of Eurochambres fiftieth anniversary. 

The EPE represents a unique opportunity for businesses to engage in a direct debate with high-level representatives of the EU institutions and to provide them with direct bottom-up feedback on EU policies.