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European entrepreneurs say Brexit will harm their business European entrepreneurs say Brexit will harm their business
(35 minutes later)
Two-thirds of European entrepreneurs feel that Brexit will harm their business and 95% want a stronger say in European Union trade policy.Two-thirds of European entrepreneurs feel that Brexit will harm their business and 95% want a stronger say in European Union trade policy.
More than 700 entrepreneurs, from businesses in all sectors and sizes, met in Brussels on Thursday to debate their role in the EU. The business owners voted on a range of topics as part of the bi-annual European Parliament of Enterprises event, which is organised by the Association of European Chambers of Commerce and Industry. More than 700 entrepreneurs, from businesses in all sectors and sizes, met in Brussels on Thursday to debate their role in the EU. The business owners voted on a range of topics as part of the bi-annual European Parliament of Enterprises (EPE) event, which is organised by the Association of European Chambers of Commerce and Industry.
While they are supportive of the value of the EU negotiating trade deals on their behalf (94% feel it makes a difference to the competitiveness of their business), an overwhelming 92% are not sufficiently aware of the commercial implications, meaning that opportunities for job creation and economic growth could be left on the table.While they are supportive of the value of the EU negotiating trade deals on their behalf (94% feel it makes a difference to the competitiveness of their business), an overwhelming 92% are not sufficiently aware of the commercial implications, meaning that opportunities for job creation and economic growth could be left on the table.
Much of the EU is struggling with high levels of unemployment, particularly among young people in countries such as Spain, Italy and Greece. But business owners say it is harder to recruit staff with the right skills now than it was in 2010 and 64% say a lack of transparency between national qualification systems makes it difficult to recruit staff from other member states. Almost all (98%) attendants support the integration of practical, work-based learning with all vocational education and training programmes. And 94% want entrepreneurship skills to be taught at all levels of education. Much of the EU is struggling with high levels of unemployment, particularly among young people in countries such as Spain, Italy and Greece. But business owners say it is harder to recruit staff with the right skills now than it was in 2010 and 64% say a lack of transparency between national qualification systems makes it difficult to recruit from other member states. Almost all (98%) attendants support the integration of practical, work-based learning with all vocational education and training programmes. And 94% want entrepreneurship skills to be taught at all levels of education.
The support for the EU as a whole, and the benefits it provides, was evident but many entrepreneurs do not feel that the single market is sufficiently integrated, and more could be done to remove barriers to cross-border trade and investment. Only 49% of business owners search for finance outside their own country.The support for the EU as a whole, and the benefits it provides, was evident but many entrepreneurs do not feel that the single market is sufficiently integrated, and more could be done to remove barriers to cross-border trade and investment. Only 49% of business owners search for finance outside their own country.
Entrepreneurs also believe national governments need to help companies tackle the problem of late payments between the public sector and businesses. The European small claims procedure is suitable for claims up to a value of €2,000 and there are proposals to increase this to €10,000. However, 83% do not feel that governments do enough to tackle the economic conditions and power imbalances in the market.Entrepreneurs also believe national governments need to help companies tackle the problem of late payments between the public sector and businesses. The European small claims procedure is suitable for claims up to a value of €2,000 and there are proposals to increase this to €10,000. However, 83% do not feel that governments do enough to tackle the economic conditions and power imbalances in the market.
Concern about the rise of China’s influence was also discussed, with 80% agreeing that granting the country market economy status would negatively effect European businesses.Concern about the rise of China’s influence was also discussed, with 80% agreeing that granting the country market economy status would negatively effect European businesses.
Beijing has been campaigning for the change, which would require trade regulators to compare Chinese bids with those of domestic suppliers, and would limit their ability to introduce tariffs.Beijing has been campaigning for the change, which would require trade regulators to compare Chinese bids with those of domestic suppliers, and would limit their ability to introduce tariffs.
The event has been running since 2008 in an effort to bridge the gap between EU institutions and entrepreneurs. Representatives from the 27 member countries were invited, as well as entrepreneurs from 24 non-member states. The EPE event has been running since 2008 in an effort to bridge the gap between EU institutions and entrepreneurs. Representatives from the 27 member countries were invited, as well as entrepreneurs from 24 non-member states.
In attendance were the European parliament vice-president, Antonio Tajani, and the European commission vice-president, Jyrki Katainen.In attendance were the European parliament vice-president, Antonio Tajani, and the European commission vice-president, Jyrki Katainen.
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