700+ entrepreneurs to EU policy makers: “Let businesses thrive, don’t smother them in red tape”
Entrepreneurs from across Europe championed more support against protectionism in global trade, doubling down on dismantling trade barriers in the Single Market and reducing red tape to support sustainable growth at the European Parliament of Enterprises™ in Brussels today. This biennial event is the biggest single European-level exercise in economic and business democracy.
Entrepreneurs taking a stance on what matters most
More than 700 entrepreneurs from 32 European countries took the stage in the European Parliament Hemicycle, welcomed by European Parliament Vice-President, Victor Negrescu. The participants represented a cross section of the European business landscape. Taking on the mantle of Members of the European Parliament for one day, they engaged in vivid debates, exchanged ideas with EU policymakers, and voted on key topics for the business community.
Voting highlights:
91 percent voted that the European Commission needs to appoint an EU SME Envoy to champion the needs of more than 99 percent of European businesses.
90 percent believe that the EU must do more to help businesses benefit from free trade agreements.
93 percent experience additional bottlenecks and challenges in their supply chains due to geopolitical tensions.
88 percent said the Single Market is NOT sufficiently integrated allowing their company to operate and compete freely.
99 percent suffer from high energy costs that make it harder for businesses to stay competitive and invest in the green transition.
98 percent haven’t experienced a noticeable reduction of administrative burden in the past 12 months.
86 percent think that sustainability reporting is NOT an effective tool to strengthen competitiveness while advancing sustainability.
The voice of businesses is too strong to be overheard
The European Parliament of Enterprises is a unique forum, providing policymakers with direct feedback on how their decisions affect the businesses on the ground. The views and experiences of entrepreneurs are more important than ever to steer EU policy onto a track for more competitiveness and business growth.
In this context, it is regrettable that not a single member of the European Commission was able to attend the Hemicycle today, as Eurochambres President Vladimír Dlouhý pointed out. However, he is convinced that the voice of more than 700 entrepreneurs will carry over to the Berlaymont building, as it is too strong to be overheard.
More information on the European Parliament of Enterprises here.