CLUB OF METROPOLITAN EUROPEAN CCIs Agreements and conclusions Meeting of the Presidents and Directors/Secretaries General on Tuesday, 17th May 2011 Participants: CCI Amsterdam, CCI Athens, CCI Berlin, CCI Brussels, CCI Frankfurt, CCI Istanbul, CCI London, CCI Luxembourg, CCI Lyon, CCI Madrid, CCI Milan, CCI Munich, CCI Paris, CCI Patras, CCI Turin Agenda 1. Introduction 2. Overview on the European Economics 3. Social Media 4. Working together in the Region and acting abroad 5. Industries in the Main European Metropolitan Regions 6. Conclusions and agreements about follow up 1. Introduction Dr. Müller, President of the CCI Frankfurt, welcomes the participants and thanks them for the excellent cooperation in preparing today s meeting. Adoption of the minutes of the previous meeting The minutes are approved. Presentation of the new participants/members Mr. de Keyser (CCI Brussels), Mr. Stanbridge (CCI London), Mr. Barberis (CCI Turin) and Mr. Driessen (CCI Munich) present their chamber districts and give an overview of the activities and projects which determine the work of their chambers (PPP Munich - see Annex 1). In his capacity as president of Eurochambres, Mr. Barberis reports on the current key issues and strategic objectives of Eurochambres. Mr. Garrido de la Cierva and Mr. Fluitman report on current developments in the Chamber organisation in Spain (see Annex 2) and the Netherlands. Mr. Michalos gives some explanations on a study CORPORATE TAXATION AMIDST A CRISIS (see Annex 3), authorized by the CCI Athens as a result of the current economic crisis in Greece. He proposes to formulate a joint recommendation on the subject to the EU. 1
First SESSION: ECONOMIC SITUATION 2. Overview on the European Economics Professor Wolfgang Franz, Centre of European Economic Research, gives an overview of the German and international economy and potential risks to the economic development, see Annex 4. (please note: the figures may be used, but the presentation should be kept confidential). In his presentation he analyzes the causes and prospects of the debt crisis in Europe and points out the potential trade conflicts regarding the large number of players and draft regulatory measures. He assesses the measures taken to address the crisis and explains policies and objectives to prevent future crises. Despite the encouraging economic development, risks are mainly seen in the rising commodity prices, which could possibly lead to second-round effects, with the consequence of a more restrictive stance of the ECB. Remarks: Questioned by Mr. Fluitman, Professor Franz gives some detailed explanations on "demographic trends" and the challenges associated with the financing of social security systems. He points out that there is no "Euro crisis": not the Euro, but the flawed policy is responsible for the current situation. Dr. Hubertus Hille, Chief Economist of the CCI Frankfurt, presents the results of a survey conducted amongst all members of the Club, see Annex 5. CCIs were asked for an assessment with respect to challenges in different policy areas as well as the estimated influence of national CCI organisations vis-à-vis politics. Key results of this survey: Shortage of skilled workers, education policy, labor market policy, industrial policy, traffic policy as well as promotion policy for R&D are policy areas which on the one hand are regarded as being challenging with good possibilities for CCIs to exert their influence. Issues like public debt, social welfare systems, energy and tax policy are on the other hand regarded as being challenging with poorer possibilities of CCIs to exert influence. Remarks: Mr. Durance proposes that in future surveys the topic "Housing systems should be considered. Mr. Jean-Yves Durance, Vice President of the CCI Paris, presents the results of the questionnaire addressed by the CCI Paris to the Club members, Barometer - see Annex 6. As a result of the survey a positive sign for 2011 is also seen in the rising domestic demand. Participants: Dr. Müller, Mr. Stanbridge, Mr. Michalos, Mr. de Kayser, Mr. Fluitman, Dr. Yalcintas. Professor Franz expresses his lack of understanding of the current discussion of a possible withdrawal of Greece from the EU. He argues that a withdrawal of Greece from the EU should not be an issue seriously discussed within the EU. He also points out the need of the Greek government to give more time to implement the agreed measures. With regard to the current discussion on "Euro bonds", he explains that he agrees with financial support to Greece, but not with "Euro bonds". Upon request, he gives some explanations about the current consolidation program in Germany and the instrument of a debt brake in the constitution. 2
SECOND SESSION: NEW TECHNOLOGIES IN CCIs 3. Social Media Dr. Thorsten Schwarz, ABSOLIT Dr. Schwarz Consulting, gives an overview of the opportunities and risks of Social Media see Annex 7. Particularly young people, so-called digital natives, are present in social media. The major networks and platforms are Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube. For companies and also for the CCIs, it is essential to attract and inspire multipliers for their own cause. Dr. Thorsten Schwarz presents the results of the Social Media survey of the Main Chambers see Annex 8. He recommends all CCIs a presence on the social web, but warns against excessive overhead and high expectations. Richard Hoving, Senior Advisor, CCI Amsterdam, presents the Social Media activities of CCI Amsterdam see Annex 9. With 4,500 active participants within the chamber district, the national social media platform "Hallo! Community" is a very successful project. In addition, increased activities are held in Twitter, which sometimes find themselves up in the top 5 Dutch Twitter Charts resonance. Frans de Keyser, General Advisor, CCI Brussels, provides an overview of the Social Media activities of CCI Brussels Social media channels such as LinkedIn and Facebook are mainly used as commercial tools in order to attract new members and also for the marketing of events, such as the "job days". Reinhard Fröhlich, Director Corporate Communication, CCI Frankfurt, presents the Social Media activities of CCI Frankfurt see Annex 10. In addition to platforms such as Facebook, Xing and Twitter there are in particular successful activities on Wikipedia. A team of writers published content for now 50 Wikipedia entries. This has led to more traffic to the website of the CCI Frankfurt. Participants: Dr. Yalcintas, Mr. Stanbridge, Mr. Hoving, Mr. de Kayser, Mr. Fröhlich and Dr. Schwarz. The participants agree that Social Media take an increasing importance within the online communications business. The issue raises important questions, such as expense, legal risks, image risks. Due to the growing Communication network, CCIs should develop an attitude for themselves how they will work (passively or actively) with the social media. Chambers should: - be responsive to the new channels, - monitoring and controlling the success of corresponding operations, - adopting social media guidelines. CCI Amsterdam proposes to establish a working group with the aim of a continuous exchange on the subject and the different activities of the chambers. 3
THIRD SESSION: METROPOLITAN REGIONS 4. Working together in the Region and acting abroad Dr. Hubertus Hille, Chief Economist of the CCI Frankfurt, presents the results of a survey which asked club members for their assessments concerning the governance / organisational structures of their metropolitan regions see Annex 11. Key results: Most European metropolitan regions have implemented governance structures on a medium level. Business promotion, regional marketing as well as transport / mobility issues are organised over-proportionally well. Only a minority of metropolitan regions maintain liaison offices abroad or to EU-institutions. Participants: Dr. Müller, Mr. Durance, Mr. Stanbridge, Mr. Barberis, Mrs. van Baasbank, Mr. Driessen, Professor Greipl, Mrs. Jacobs and Mr.de Kayser. The debate revolves around questions of future cooperation between the Main Chambers and the topics which should be the focus of joint activities. For further action, the following proposals / findings are made: - although the issue Metropolitan Regions is not affecting all chambers in the same way, it is an important issue, - therefore the focus should be on subjects, which typically have an impact on the various regions and main cities ( what are common challenges at regional level? ), such as: traffic / transport / mobility issues, company foundation issues, housing issues, - joint recommendations on this and other general issues should be elaborated to be addressed to Brussels (European Parliament, European Commission) by the Club (and equally to the local policy makers if requested by the individual CCIs), - furthermore, it should be a focus of future club activities in the exchange of best practice on this and other topics (e.g. what measures are being taken to improve the prosperity and organizational structures in the different regions?), - priority should be given to measures improving the network within the Main Chambers (how can we exchange faster and more efficiently?). Secondly, the visibility and influence of the chambers should be improved by addressing important issues to Brussels (e.g. relating to regulatory actions that have an impact on the main cities), - Mr. Barberis announces concrete proposals on how Eurochambres can contribute to the topic Metropolitan Regions. 5. Industries in the Main European Metropolitan Regions Peter Driessen, Director General of the CCI Munich, presents the results of a survey which asked Club members for their estimates concerning the share of industry, key industries, activities to attract / retain industry, main risks and CCIs industrial policy see Annex 12. Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. mult. Erich Greipl, President of the CCI Munich, gives an overview of the European Metropolitan Region Munich by presenting its economic history, figures, success factors, main risks and in this context the industrial activities of CCI Munich see Annex 13. 4
Christophe Dudon, Director of Business Services, CCI Lyon, explains the industry development policy in the Lyon metropolitan area see Annex 14. As an activity, CCI Lyon has published a White Paper including proposals for further action in this particular area (CCI Lyon is kindly asked to make the White Paper available to the Club members). Participants: Dr. Yalcintas, Mrs. Salvadores Janssen, Professor Greipl, Mr. Dudon, Dr. Müller, Mr. Durance and Mr. Stanbridge. The participants give examples of industry policy in their regions and the different measures and efforts which are taken in this context. Obviously, there are different views on the topic Re-industrialization of the metropolitan regions and the role of the CCIs in this process. Nevertheless, there are related issues, which in turn affect all chambers and might be appropriate to focus on, e.g. traffic issues. 6. Conclusions and agreements about follow up Mr. Durance reminds everyone that a decision about the future of the Club/Network has to be taken until the end of 2011. If, in the wake of today's meeting, there is already certainty that the Club should continue to exist, members are kindly asked for a response (in advance of the autumn session). To increase the exchange of ideas and best practices during the meeting, presentations should be sent out in advance of the session. On the basis of the suggestions made at today s meeting (see p. 4, 5 under ), the members are kindly asked to send suggested topics for the next meeting to the CCI Istanbul. Next meeting CCI Istanbul invites the Club to the next meeting in Istanbul. The following dates are proposed: 24 th /25 th November 2011 or 28 th/ 29 th November 2011. Members are kindly asked to confirm as soon as possible those dates, which enable their participation, so that the final date can be fixed. Mr. Durance announces that CCI Milano has offered to be host in spring 2012. 5