Confederation of Industry of the Czech Republic The Voice of Business in the Czech Republic www.spcr.cz E-mail: spcr@spcr.cz
Non-governmental voluntary Federation of femployers and Entrepreneurs in the Czech Republic
Who we are At national level: A strong business organisation A well-functioning i employers organisation A recognized social partner At international and European levels a member of: IOE - International Organisation of Employers BUSINESSEUROPE Confederation of European Business BIAC Business and Industry Advisory Committee to the OECD European Economic and Social Committee 2representatives
Membership 1600 Member-organizations representing industry,transport and other services 29 Branch and professional associations 120 Direct members 800.000 Employees
OUR PRIORITIES A transparent legal environment for business and better regulation Liberalization of the labour market Education, training and life-long learning Simplification of the tax system in favor of business Development of a functional transport infrastructure Research, development and innovation Reasonable environmental and climate change policy not hampering competitiveness Secure and competitive energy policy Liberalization of international trade (WTO DDA and new generation of FTAs) 5
Business priorities for the French, Czech and Swedish EU presidencies Back on track: Towards a competitive Europe without barriers I. Real Reforms Real Jobs II. Global Europe Global Business III. Energy for Competition Energy for Life 6
CZ PRES as a challenge Europe without Barriers Key Priorities: 1. Economy (Competitive Europe) 2. Energy (and Climate Changes) 3. Europe in the World (Transatlantic relations, Eastern Dimension)
EU Trade Policy perspectives Trade is the major tool of EU future growth and prosperity The domestic EU policy should be focused at the competitivness in the international arena Lisbon Strategy new dimension of EU external competitivness
Trade without barriers? Liberalization of trade and fight against protectionism (Czech Republic one of the most open economies worldwide) The risk of rising tariffs in emerging countries + taxes on export of raw materials WTO as the only tool to tackle it? Is it realistic that 150 countries will come to an agreement?
EU trade policy prospectives :focus on bilateral or multilateral lil lapproach? Concentrate t on FTA s as a supplement to the multilateral approach: Foster Transatlantic cooperation (TEC, TABD or FTA?) and Economic Cooperation Agreement with Canada (negotiations launched during the EU-Canada Summit in Prague, 6th May) Finalize the FTA negotiations with South Korea and continue in negotiations with other major partners (India, Ukraine, ASEAN, MERCOSUR.)
China- partner and/or competitor? High-level Economic and Trade Dialogue has to tackle many issues on a bilateral level: IPR, investment conditions, access to natural resources, export subsidies etc. EU and China have also common responsibilities targeted at global problems: economic crisis, climate change, fight against protectionism, conclusion of the WTO multilateral t l trade negotiations etc.
RUSSIA EU should negotiate a new agreement on the economic cooperation Enhance Russia membership in the WTO Negotiate recently applied trade barriers
Crisis as the best opportunity for change 2009 estimated downturn of the global trade 9% Protectionist measures the best way how to deepen the crisis and lose jobs Business: Call for liberalisation of trade and effective fight against protectionism (not only rhetoric and declarations.) Push the WTO to act and finish the famous DOHA round FTA s securing market access for goods, services and investments
Contribution of the Czech Presidency to the EU Trade Policy improvements Eastern Partnership initiative Launch of the negotiations on comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement EU-Canada TEC Transatlantic Economic Council Proposal for Transparent antidumping measures (fair treatment for all, easy access to information, helpdesk for SME s) Contemporary import tariff suspension for certain products (raw materials, semi-products) Initiative of monitoring of the most serious trade barriers for EU exporters in the BRIC countries
Closer Eastern Partnership Enhance cooperation between EU and Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine Launched during the Eastern Partnership Summit in Prague, May 7th Help the 6 countries to speed up reforms and capacity building Establish a common platform for cooperation and energy security Strengthen democratic principles and better governance
Conclusion Both EU policy makers and social partners should cooperate closely on securing environment for fair trade and jobs EU Trade Policy should be one of the important tools, part of the global l strategy for recovery
Thank you for your attention Dagmar Kuchtová Deputy Director General Confederation of Industry of the Czech Republic www.spcr.cz