HIGHLIGHT: Accelerating Growth and Vitality in the European Economy: Agenda for Action 2014-2019

AMCHAM EU’S FIVE KEY ACTION AREAS: 

Build skills for the future 
If Europe is to compete in an ever-changing global environment, policies need to be in place to ensure its citizens are well-equipped to meet the needs of the future marketplace. This will require investment in training and skills development at every stage of workers’ lives to remain relevant to the needs of society and the economy. 

Drive integration to create an attractive internal market 
Europe needs to complete the Single Market, particularly in the areas of services, the digital market, energy and transportation. Efforts also need to be made to improve harmonisation of policies and regulation. The objective should be to make Europe an attractive destination for investment and a hub of economic growth and innovation which contributes to global regulatory and industrial standards. 

Embrace revolutionary change for industrial leadership 
Europe has built a strong industrial foundation and now is the time to capitalise on its expertise across all sectors including pharmaceuticals, healthcare, energy, transport, aerospace, security, chemicals, biotech and digital technologies. The objective should be to establish policies to keep European industry at the cutting edge to ensure sustainable economic growth.

Develop new models of innovation and entrepreneurship 
Innovation and entrepreneurship have been hailed as great drivers of growth. The next generation of entrepreneurs need to be supported and encouraged through incentive programmes. At the same time, fresh models of partnership between governments, businesses and the wider civil society need to be developed and promoted. The objective should be to foster dynamic and flexible thinking to generate economic opportunities for the future. 

Lead by example toward global integration 
Europe needs to remain a global hub for trade, investment and ideas, while taking advantage of the global economic landscape more systematically. The objective should be to ensure that European industries can compete successfully in an increasingly integrated global economy. The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) agreement offers and opportunity to enhance cooperation between the EU and the US and the possibility of establishing regulatory standards which will have a profound impact on the way business is conducted globally for decades to come.

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