The voice of Entreprise- Edition 63, June/ July 2021
Global business News
GLOBAL GOVERNANCE
Global Business Coalition members acknowledge the efforts made by the G7 leaders to tackle the urgent issues generated or exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the preexisting key challenges of our times.
They agreed a shared agenda for global action focused on:
Ending the pandemic and preparing for future shocks, reinforcing resilience among our societies ;
Reinvigorating economies by advancing recovery plans ;
Securing future prosperity by promoting freer 6 fairer trade within a reformed trading system and a fairer global tax system ;
Protecting the planet through a green revolution likely to create jobs, cut emissions and commit to net zero not later than 2050 ;
Strengthening partnerships, notably championing an initiative for clean and green growth ;
Embracing common values -democracy
This open agenda is open for collaboration with other countries, within the multilateral rules-based system, alongside G20 partners and all relevant international organisations, to secure a cleaner, greener, freer, fairer and safer future for the people and the planet.
B7 Summit (May 11-12, 2021)- Global Business Coalition members congratulate their fellow member -CBI- in charge of this successful B7 Summit and acknowledge the communiqué issued by the business federations of the G7.
In order to an inclusive, sustainable, digitalised recovery, the recommendations made by the business federations focus on:
The importance of the vaccine roll out throughout the world
The urgent resumption of a safe and sustainable international mobility, for people and goods
The need for a competitive agenda to drive inclusive economic recovery
The rebirth of the the global trading system
Urgently addressing climate change and protect the environment
Showing global digital leadership
Seising the moment!
Read the entire Communiqué and the associated recommendations here.
Joint B7-L7 statement- Global Business Coalition members acknowledge theB7-L7 statement on actions to promote job opportunities, decent work, skills and entrepreneurship.
In order to deliver a sustainable and inclusive recovery, B7 and L7 called on G7 leaders to prioritise:
Education & skills- taking advantage of the rapid technological adoption and advancement accelerated by the COVID-19 crisis ;
Green jobs- related to decarbonising critical sectors that underpin the global economy and the promotion of new green sectors ;
Active labour market policies and support during the crisis- setting the conditions for jobs creation, innovation and entrepreneurship ;
Renewed working environment- remote/ hybrid ways of working imply investment in digital infrastructure and high-capacity internet connections ;
Health and safety of the workforce- need to enable greater investment in public health systems;
Meaningful social dialogue
Diversity and inclusion at work
Responsible business conduct.
Read the Joint statement here and the Digital statement there.
B20 Health & Life Sciences task force- discover the video!
Ahead of the B20 Summit (October 7-8, 2021), the Taskforce Chair and co-chairs disclosed key recommendations to the G20 leaders. They include:
Promoting the strategic use of science, technology and data- developing coherent regulatory frameworks likely to strengthen scientific research and innovation, support data sharing and promote digitisation of healthcare systems;
Assessing/ measuring Health as an investment and foster the transition to value-based healthcare- establishing governance and policy structures to identify/ replicate successful VBHC models and champion early diagnosis/ prevention ;
Building resilient and sustainable healthcare systems- promoting new partnerships likely to strengthen crisis preparedness, improve system resilience and sustainability, build resilient supply chains...
G20 Tourism Ministers meeting (May 4, 2021)- Supporting the recovery of travel and tourism
G20 Tourism ministers endorsed the G20 Rome Guidelines for the Future of Tourism, aligned with Italy’s G20 Presidency's priorities – People, Planet and Prosperity – and committed to take action in seven policy areas:
Safe mobility: developing confidence in safe international mobility, enabling us to support, complement and coordinate with safe international mobility initatives
Crisis management: minimising the impact of future crises affecting tourism
Resilience: securing a robust and stable tourism sector in uncertain times
Inclusiveness: widening community engagement and benefits from tourism
Green transformation: managing tourism to sustain global and local environments
Digital transition: enabling all tourism stakeholders to benefit fully from digital opportunities
Investment and infrastructure: focusing resources on a sustainable future for tourism.
Level Playing Field in International Competition - Strengthening the EU's Capacity to Act", the BDI makes specific proposals and wishes to provide economic policy guidance. In shaping its policy, the EU must not foster the international trend toward protectionism, but must strategically counteract it. Rules-based world trade must remain the cornerstone of European trade policy. Particularly in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, the EU must set a good example and work against increasing protectionism and for market access, while at the same time pursuing its own strategic interests.
BUSINESS EUROPE- CONFEDERATION OF EUROPEAN BUSINESS
Letter to the EU Commission on the Trade policy review
On June 16, BusinessEurope addressed a letter to the European Commission’s Executive VP, outlining its priorities in the context of the EU’s Trade Policy Review. Here are some key takeaways from DG Markus J. Beyrer statement:
“For BusinessEurope, pursuing an ambitious EU trade policy is a key priority. Trade is a driver of growth in the EU, contributing to job creation and innovation."
"Improving access to third markets and increasing investment opportunities for companies should remain at the core of the EU’s trade policy. Openness is key."
"Action is required at different levels, starting with the multilateral and the reform of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), the bilateral and the full use of the EU’s trade agreements, to the unilateral, by developing instruments that will help the EU level the playing field. Promoting international cooperation is essential. Putting the strategic nature of the transatlantic relationship and rebalancing EU-China relations should be central in the EU’s trade policy."
June 11- Joint letter to WTO DG on COVID response and the discussion around the waiver on certain provisions of the WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS)
The letter, signed by industry associations from Canada, the EU, South Korea and the United States, emphasises the idea that the so-called TRIPS waiver is not the solution to increase vaccine production or improve access to vaccines globally and especially for developing countries. A holistic approach is required, which shall focus on increasing production, as well as on eliminating trade and regulatory barriers in order to ensure widespread distribution and administration of vaccines. The leadership of the WTO is critical.
Source: BusinessEurope
CBI- CONFEDERATION OF BRITISH INDUSTRY 2021 B7 CHAIR
G7 leaders agree to shared agenda for global action to build back better- CBI views
Two weeks ago, G7 leaders met in Cornwall to agree on a shared agenda for global action to build back better from coronavirus and create a greener, more prosperous future.
After international business associations set out their priorities for the G7, at the B7 summit in May, hosted by CBI, it was positive to see a renewed commitment to multilateral institutions, a focus on ensuring a green and inclusive recovery, and increased support for global vaccination from G7 leaders. The B7 welcomes renewed leadership from the G7 in order to drive forward a sustainable and inclusive recovery for all.
We are faced with a unique opportunity to reset global leadership and cooperation with business playing a significant role as an agent as well as an advocate of this mission. The global economic shock caused by Covid-19 has raised new challenges for both our economies and societies. Business must lead the shaping of a global recovery which delivers an economy fit for the future. With strong leadership and partnership, we can create jobs whilst addressing societal challenges. Making progress towards net-zero emissions and a renewed commitment to global health security are essential.
We must reverse the move towards protectionism, with business leading the way where governments have struggled to collaborate. The B7 therefore welcomed the G7’s commitment to champion freer, fairer trade within a reformed trading system. The B7 put trade at the heart of a global recovery and, to achieve it, called for the G7 leadership to restore the World Trade Organisation’s (WTO) reputation and function as the centre of global trade governance. However, business globally will also need to step up and demonstrate initiative in creating prosperity, driving the transformation the world needs to overcome modern challenges. Building on this, the B7 will work with our partners to develop new forms of structured engagement for business at the WTO as we demonstrate our support for a re-energised global trading system.
In addition, the G7 showed support for business’ demands for greater cooperation to support a safe reopening of international travel. It will be critical for business to work in partnership globally to hold the G7 to account and push for the development of clear, consistent, data-driven and internationally harmonised procedures for restarting travel, with this being critical to economic recovery.
Finally, critics have argued G7 leaders did not go far enough on tacking climate change, particularly when it comes to climate finance. Nevertheless, they committed not just to achieving net-zero targets, but also to long-term plans in order to achieve these goals. The desire to tackle climate change is universal, however it must be a globally coordinated effort to hit timelines. We are hopeful that the work of the B7 and the G7 Summit is brought into COP26 and the G20 to cement that cooperation going forward. Working with our partners across the B20, the B7 will now follow up on the commitments made, as we head towards the G20 in October, and COP26 and the WTO’s Twelfth WTO Ministerial Conference (MC12) in November.
Source: CBI
CCC- CANADIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
G7 Summit- CCC's statement on key actions to accelerate the global economic recovery
“This week’s G7 Summit marks the first major in-person gathering of world leaders since the start of the pandemic. Having the leaders meet in-person is a critical signal to businesses and consumers that there is a light at the end of the pandemic tunnel.
As Canada’s representative to the G7’s business advisory group, the Canadian Chamber has actively worked with our counterparts to provide recommendations on the key areas where we hope to see progress. Now is the time for action from government.
Health Canada’s Expert Panel has provided a science-based framework for how Canada can safely enable international mobility. We hope that the G7 will make progress on the safe resumption guidelines for international travel and accelerate an international standard on vaccine passports, both of which are important for the 25% of businesses that face obstacles with the status quo.
The widespread deployment of vaccines globally is critical to ending the pandemic. The G7 needs to take a clear stand opposing export restrictions and supporting the Ottawa Group Trade and Health Initiative as a means to accelerate global vaccination. The pandemic is a global problem requiring global solutions.
The G7 must also make demonstrable progress to strengthen the resiliency of critical mineral supply chains. Ensuring greater supply of these products is essential to the production of battery and semi-conductor technology, both of which are necessary preconditions for achieving our Net Zero 2050 aspirations.” (CCC's VP Policy & International, Mark Agnew)
CRISIS RECOVERY- CCC's statement for a travel resumption plan
“As vaccination rates increase, Canadians are eager to see the finish line for this pandemic. Today’s announcement of changes to eliminate quarantine hotels for fully vaccinated Canadians is a welcome move in the gradual resumption of international mobility, but much work still remains.
The COVID-19 Testing and Screening Expert Advisory Panel provided a well-grounded, scientific basis for a comprehensive plan to resume international travel. As other countries move ahead with their reopening plans, it is critical for Canada to catch up by providing a national reopening strategy, including a plan for border measures that includes clear metrics.
As the Prime Minister leaves for the G7 meetings, we urge the government to accelerate work on digital vaccine certification to support safe international mobility.” (Perrin Beatty, CCC's Pdt and CEO).
Source: CCC
CEOE- SPANISH CONFEDERATION OF BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS
CEOE presents CEOEXEuropa, an information service on tenders and public contracts to promote the economic recovery of companies- It is the first complete hub of public funds in the country offering companies and organizations all the information on tenders and calls. The platform can already consult the calls published to date in these three levels of the Administration, which annually average 75,000 public contracts and more than 18,000 subsidies. This tool offers important added value to companies, since it publishes information on calls and tenders for government grants, including European funds, but also has an email alert system based on the characteristics of each company registered on the platform and a monthly newsletter with the most relevant information.
Spain 5.0- What are the challenges ahead? CEOE Secretary General pointed out “we have a clear roadmap that allows us to advance in how we should transform and evolve our economy towards what is known as 'Spain 5.0', that is, towards a a more sustainable country, focused on people, based on a more digital and competitive industry and supported by the development of smarter and more efficient infrastructures ”. “We must go beyond digitization and incorporate other elements such as the green transition or social and territorial cohesion that are becoming so important in recent times." He stressed the relevance of the "great window of opportunity for European Next Generation EU funds", which, as the Bank of Spain has highlighted, may represent up to five points of GDP growth in the coming years. He insisted on raising the weight of industry in GDP, currently at 16%, far from the target set for 2020 by the EU (20%). He also highlighted the importance of training to make digitization possible, and promoting the process of decarbonization of the economy for the green transition.
CII- CONFEDERATION OF INDIAN INDUSTRY
Triggering an Economic Recovery After Second Wave
"Businesses are hopeful that the waning of the second Covid wave, a sped up vaccination drive, release of pent up demand, prospect of good monsoons would mean better times for the rest of the fiscal" comments Mr Chandrajit Banerjee, Director General, CII in his article published in the Indian Express on 2 June 2021.
CNI proposes 48 essential measures for overcoming the crisis and for growth in the medium and long term
Industry brought together emergency actions and structuring projects for the country's development. For CNI, the government and Congress should focus on a long-term growth agenda
Robson Andrade says that, in addition to the extension of financial assistance to families, which has already been provided by the Government and Congress, although on a smaller scale than last year, it is essential that measures are also reissued to ensure the survival of companies and maintenance of jobs. These actions must be accompanied by planning and long-term growth vision.
“Over the past 10 years, Brazil's GDP has grown at an average annual rate of just 0.3%, while the manufacturing industry's GDP has shrunk by 1.6% a year, on average. There is no more time to tackle one problem at a time”.
CNI launches the European Union-Mercosur Agreement booklet – a unique opportunity to promote trade and sustainable development. The document is divided into two large blocks. In the first, it presents the rules, already very advanced, existing in the Agreement's Trade and Sustainability Chapter. In the second, the regulation of the theme of environmental and labor sustainability in Brazil, including forests, native vegetation, climate change, agricultural productivity, energy matrix and international labor conventions (see below).
The booklet was launched during the virtual event Mercosur and European Union Agreement - Roundtable on the agreement and sustainable development in Brazil.
Source: CNI
CONFINDUSTRIA- GENERAL CONFEDERATION OF ITALIAN INDUSTRY 2021 B20 Chair
Meeting the WTO Director General- As part of the Italian delegation led by Mario Draghi, Confindustria officials met with WTO DG Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on May 9-10 to discuss the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the role the WTO can play in accelerating economic recovery.
In a meeting with B20 Chair Emma Marcegaglia, Barbara Beltrame Giacomello, Chair of the B20 Task Force on Trade and Investment, and Francesca Mariotti, Director-General of Confindustria, the WTO Director-General heard about the B20’s priorities including “a new paradigm for sustainable growth” which focuses on “people, planet and prosperity”. They said there was also strong B20 support for women’s empowerment, for action on climate change and for open trade and investment policies to jump start the global economy. They supported DG Okonjo-Iweala on the objective of an ambitious outcome for MC12. Read the full info here
On the occasion of a G20- B20 dialogue, panelists discussed a study on Protectionism in maritime economy outlining the protectionist trade policies being implemented by governments worldwide.
According to its findings, if countries cut restrictive maritime trade policies it would help boost GDP by as much as 3.4% for national economies. The study shows how each of the 58 countries analysed can identify and reduce its restrictive measures to lower the cost of doing business and increase its share in global maritime trade, which was estimated at US$14 trillion in 2019.
Four scenarios are provided for potential policy reform, demonstrating real GDP gains for national economies if trade restrictive measures were reduced. Read more about the scenarios and highlights here.
Source: Confindustria Illustration: ICS
FEI- FEDERATION OF EGYPTIAN INDUSTRIES
The FEI and the ILO support the transition from "Corporate Social Responsibility" to "Responsible Business Conduct".
The COVID-19 pandemic pushed an increased number of children into child labour including its worst forms. Contributing to a national response, a partnership was established between the ILO project “Accelerating the Action for the Elimination of Child labour in Global Supply Chains” (ACCEL Africa) and the Federation of Egyptian Industries.
The purpose of this partnership is to improve the private sector’s compliance with international labour standards, especially in training and employing children safely, following good practices for responsible business conduct. Read more here.
Source: FEI/ ILO
FKI- FEDERATION OF KOREAN INDUSTRIES
In our next edition, the Federation of Korean Industries will disclose some of the key findings of their second global survey on COVID-19 crisis and its consequences for businesses, public policies...
Thank you for your participation!
Source: FKI Illustration: Sarvatxo
MEDEF- LEADING NETWORK OF ENTREPRENEURS IN FRANCE
On the occasion of their 3rd joint forum, MEDEF and CONFINDUSTRIA issued a joint statement summing up their values and recommendations for a sound, sustainable recovery and a fairer trade environment.
Fighting protectionism, championing business support, structural reforms, investments, level-playing field, WTO reform...this joint statement sheds a comprehensive light on the way MEDEF and Confindustria intend to shape their action for a better recovery and sustainable "world after".
Read the extended version of the statement in English here
Source: MEDEF / Confindustria
TÜSIAD- TURKISH INDUSTRY AND BUSINESS ASSOCIATION
2nd forum on Sustainability and competitiveness in tourism- Fatih Kemal Ebiclioğlu, Member of the Board of Directors of TÜSİAD and Chairman of the Industrial Policy Roundtable, said “The Global Competitiveness Index published every year by the World Economic Forum and the Global Tourism and Travel Index prepared for the tourism sector aim to determine the positions of countries in global competition. The Executive Opinion Survey, which is used to measure the perceptions of senior executives and is an input to the indices, is critical for our country to be positioned correctly and objectively in these indices. We discussed the elements of our competitiveness in the tourism sector in the second of our interactive events that we organized to raise awareness in this direction.”
TÜSİAD Digitalks Meeting- The Effect of 5G Technology on Our Lives and Ways of Doing Business- "Expanding access to quality data and technical infrastructure will only be possible with the establishment of a strong digital infrastructure." With faster connections and increased data capacity, "speed" is at the center of competition, regardless of sector and scale. By offering an end-to-end connection chain, 5G forms the backbone of emerging technologies, especially artificial intelligence, internet of things and big data analytics. The development of 5G technologies is about to become one of the most important components of socio-economic growth and therefore the competitiveness of countries in the future. Expanding access to quality data and technical infrastructure will only be possible with the establishment of a strong digital infrastructure. It is extremely important to implement holistic policies in order to properly develop 5G technology and make infrastructure investments. One of the main points emphasized by our speakers during the conversation is that 5G technology provides the infrastructure that transforms future data science technologies into revolutionary business models. One of the infrastructure models is private mobile networks (Private LTE), thanks to these networks, many IoT-enabled devices in a facility or a campus can be managed in coordination by processing very high amounts of data with very low latency.
TÜSIAD Biannual High Advisory Council- The High Advisory Council is a biannual deliberative conference where the business world takes stock of domestic and global political/ economic developments and offers suggestions to policy makers from a business perspective.
TÜSİAD's president, Simone Kaslowski, reiterated the Turkish business calls for reforms, strengthening of democratic standards and the rule of law, and the reinvigoration of the EU accession process. Read more here
Source: TÜSIAD
UIA- ARGENTINE INDUSTRIAL UNION
UIA and CNI agree on a bilateral agenda and consolidate CEMBRAR's strategic alliance- In the context of the first plenary meeting in 2021 of the Argentina - Brazil Business Council (CEMBRAR), the UIA and the CNI signed a joint declaration. The document addresses the agreed agenda to monitor progress and propose improvements in terms of trade facilitation, regulatory cooperation and the regional agenda.
The Argentine Industrial Union (UIA) renewed its authorities. By virtue of the consensus reached, Daniel Funes de Rioja will be the president of the entity for the next two years.
International Agenda: the UIA participated in a bilateral meeting between Argentina and Spain- The UIA, headed by its president, Daniel Funes de Rioja, participated in a working meeting with the President of the Nation, Alberto Fernández, the president of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, officials from both governments and businessmen from both countries.
Source: UIA
USCC- UNITED STATES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Global Forum on Economic recovery- May 18-19, 2021
The global pandemic created an unprecedented economic and health crisis for the United States and the world. While the rapid development and deployment of vaccines offers hope for a robust economic recovery in the United States, the pandemic highlighted the need for strong leadership to reinvigorate growth, strengthen trade and build resilient supply chains to support a global recovery.
The forum brought together government leaders and business executives to discuss the opportunities and impediments to a dynamic global recovery.
Source: USCC Illustration:
Next month- preparing for the WTO Public Forum, B20/G20 and COP 26... and more news on GBC members' action to trigger a sustainable, inclusive growth
