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Preparing European customs for the future

4 Jul 2023
All Committees
Customs & Trade Facilitation

How can Europe update its customs procedures to tackle modern problems? On Tuesday, 4 July, AmCham EU explored this question, hearing policy and industry perspectives during a panel discussion. The attention was on how the upcoming EU Customs Reform can clarify the roles of all stakeholders in the supply chain. Attendees heard from Werner Rens, Advisor-General, Belgian Administration of Customs and Excise on how the reform can facilitate worldwide trade. The plenary also served as the launching point for our new customs brochure Adapting Europe's Customs Union to the new reality.  

Adapting Europe’s Customs Union to the new reality

4 Jul 2023
All Committees

In today’s economy, customs administrations are faced with a variety of complex challenges ranging from the growing importance of e-commerce and emerging technologies, to recent global crises that have put severe strains on supply chains. Simultaneously, the role of customs authorities has changed dramatically in the past two decades, and they now cover roles such as supply chain security, environmental and health standards revisions and trade facilitation. These changes have also been exacerbated by the ongoing reform of the Union Customs Code – the greatest reform made to the European customs ecosystem since the 1990s. Read more in our latest customs brochure, Adapting Europe’s Customs Union to the new reality.

Invested in Europe: driving the green transition with Honeywell

3 Jul 2023
All Committees

Decarbonisation and meeting climate goals is no easy task, especially in Ringsted, one of Denmark’s busiest transit hubs and home to over 23,000 people. But thanks to Honeywell’s innovative technology, Ringsted District Heating Utility (DHU) was able to meet its ambitious energy, cost reduction and emissions reduction goals. In just one year, DHU produced 97% carbon-free heat, offering a reliable source of heat for residents and businesses within the 124-km district heating network. Learn more about this and other stories of American companies’ commitment to the communities they interact with and the places they call home on Invested in Europe.

Harnessing Digital Solutions for a Green Transition

3 Jul 2023
All Committees

The twin transition will require strong synergies between sustainability and digitalisation. Particularly, the European Union will need rapid scaling, development and deployment of digital solutions in order to undergo its green transformation. In certain sectors this transformative synergy has already taken place. For this to occur across other markets, policymakers should encourage more investment, create enabling policy environments, deepen transatlantic cooperation and develop accurate measuring metrics, among other things. Our latest position paper details how we can continue to ensure synergies between sustainability and digitalisation.  

Building bridges and encouraging entrepreneurship with our Executive Council

29 Jun 2023

From Tuesday, 27 June to Wednesday, 28 June, AmCham EU’s Executive Council held a series of engagements with leaders on both sides of the Atlantic. The group started off by meeting with Humza Yousaf, First Minister, Scottish Government to discuss relations between Scotland, Europe and the US. They next met with Didier Reynders, Commissioner for Justice, Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers, European Commission to look broadly at the attractiveness of Europe for industry and how to boost competitiveness through business involvement.  

Celebrating our 60th anniversary in style: Gala 2023

29 Jun 2023
All Committees

Bringing together over 500 guests, AmCham EU celebrated its 60th Anniversary on Wednesday, 28 June in true style. The evening began with a conversation between Alexander De Croo, Prime Minister, Belgium and Kaja Kallas, Prime Minister, Estonia on the importance of strong transatlantic ties. The rest of the evening ranged from celebratory messages from the likes of Mark Gitenstein, United States Ambassador to the EU and Ursula von der Leyen, President, European Commission, to sustainable dining and music from the NATO SHAPE International Band and Ukrainian Cellist and Queen Elisabeth Competition laureate Oleksiy Shadrin. The celebrations were capped off with a presentation of the Youth Entrepreneurship Award by Vera Jourova, Vice-President, European Commission to Bulgarian start-up AMIRA Meditech. Couldn’t make it? Here’s what you missed. 

Bulgarian start-up AMIRA Meditech wins AmCham EU Youth Entrepreneurship Award 2023

29 Jun 2023
All Committees

AmCham EU and Junior Achievement Europe (JA Europe) are delighted to announce that AMIRA Meditech, a Bulgarian start-up, is the winner of the AmCham EU Youth Entrepreneurship Award 2023. Following the previous three editions, this year was again dedicated to women entrepreneurs. Natalia Konova, Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder captivated the jury with her dedication to fighting antimicrobial resistance and optimise antibiotic prescriptions in hospitals.

President von der Leyen: ‘Happy birthday, AmCham EU!’

29 Jun 2023
All Committees

In a video address presented at AmCham EU’s 60th Anniversary Gala, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, congratulates the organisation for reaching this important milestone. ‘Today, I want to thank you not only for your leadership over the last 60 years, but also for your continued engagement to shape this new era of transatlantic friendship. 'Happy birthday, AmCham EU, and many happy returns’, said President von der Leyen. Watch her full remarks here.

Prime Ministers De Croo and Kallas on the importance of transatlantic ties at AmCham EU’s 60th Anniversary Gala

29 Jun 2023
All Committees

Sitting down for a fireside conversation, Alexander De Croo, Prime Minister, Belgium and Kaja Kallas, Prime Minister, Estonia kicked off the festivities in style at AmCham EU’s 60th Anniversary Gala on Wednesday, 28 June. Throughout their discussions, the two heads of government highlighted the significance of cooperation and the benefits of strong  transatlantic ties. By working together, the EU and the US can build on each other’s strengths, adding prosperity and security on both sides of the Atlantic. See more from our 60th Anniversary Gala in our full recap. 

Taking strides in the fight against cancer

26 Jun 2023
All Committees

For 24 hours over Saturday, 24 June and Sunday, 25 June, the AmCham EU team campaigned and raised funds for the fight against cancer during the annual Relay for Life at the St Johns International School in Waterloo. Cancer is a disease that touches all of our lives, and staying on the track for a whole day represents a small tribute to the perseverance of cancer patients and their loved ones. AmCham EU also walked in memory of our dear former colleague Andreas Galanakis. We're still collecting donations for those who wish to contribute. 

Who is the BestinBrussels?

26 Jun 2023
All Committees

On Thursday, 22 June, AmCham EU took home the runner-up prize in the Best EU Trade Association 2023 category at the BestinBrussels 2023 Best Practice Awards. Surveying over 700 Brussels public affairs professionals and consultants, the award considered 2,400 trade associations operating in Brussels. Those shortlisted included Airlines for Europe (A4E), AmCham EU, DIGITALEUROPE, and the European Confederation of Pharmaceutical Entrepreneurs (EUCOPE) with CEFIC, the European Chemical Industry Council, taking the top prize. Congratulations to all those involved! 

Fostering an open and competitive EU trade policy agenda

22 Jun 2023
All Committees
Trade & External Affairs

Encouraging a more cooperative and efficient international trading system is key to safeguarding the global economy. For Europe, an open, free, rules-based trade policy agenda will be essential to promote its attractiveness and growth, as well as for the success of the green transition. Given the current context, as well as the European elections and the World Trade Organisation Ministerial Conference that will take place in 2024, it is crucial for the EU to strengthen its business environment and boost its bilateral trade agenda through Free Trade Agreements. Read more about how to promote an open and competitive EU trade policy agenda. 

Underlining the benefits of free trade in Strasbourg

22 Jun 2023
All Committees
Trade & External Affairs

From Tuesday 13 June to Wednesday, 14 June, AmCham EU’s Trade and External Affairs Committee visited the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France to discuss trade policy and the recent Trade and Technology Council ministerial. Meeting with key MEPs involved with the Committee on International Trade, delegates spoke about the importance of ratifying key Free Trade Agreements with Australia, Chile, Mercosur, Mexico, and New Zealand by the end of the mandate. By advancing trade policy, the EU can become more attractive and competitive for business.  

AmCham EU hosts its 2023 Annual General Meeting

21 Jun 2023
All Committees

On Tuesday, 20 June, AmCham EU held its Annual General Meeting (AGM), where we had the honour of welcoming Ilze Juhansone, Secretary-General, European Commission for a keynote speech for a second year in a row. During the internal session, members reviewed last year’s accomplishments and discussed plans for the organisation in 2023 and beyond.

Transatlantic business priorities at George Washington University

21 Jun 2023
All Committees

On Tuesday, 13 June, Thibaut L’Ortye, Public Affairs Director, AmCham EU, spoke at George Washington University’s Elliot School of International Affairs. Taking part in a panel with Jonathan Day, Chief of Staff to Congressman Joe Wilson (R-SC), the discussion focused on transatlantic foreign direct investment, business community priorities and how to strengthen engagement at the local level. 

2023 Lizanne Scott Staff Excellence Award winner

21 Jun 2023
All Committees

On Tuesday, 20 June, during our Annual General Meeting, the 2023 Lizanne Scott Staff Excellence Award was presented to Laura Escobar Díaz, Content Advisor. Congratulations to Laura for her outstanding display of strong work ethic, can-do attitude and sense of team work. She has shown superb organizational skills, outstanding project management skills and is always proactive. Laura will receive a certificate of excellence along with a monetary prize. Well done, Laura! 

A stronger Cybersecurity Certification Scheme for Cloud Services

21 Jun 2023
All Committees

Since 2021, industry has urged the European Commission to adopt the European Cybersecurity Certification Scheme for Cloud Services (EUCS) and to avoid conflating legal and cybersecurity considerations in a technical instrument. However, concerns remain regarding sovereignty requirements and ownership criteria in ENISA's latest text. To address these concerns, policymakers should explain the impact of different assurance levels on cloud service users and critical entities, as well as the rationale behind applying varying levels of assurance. Learn how the European Union can enhance cybersecurity for cloud services.

Invested in Europe: how Apple empowers European entrepreneurs

19 Jun 2023
All Committees
Future of Work, Education & Skills

As Europe celebrates the European Year of Skills, Apple is marking seven years of investing in digital skills training through its Developer Academy at the University of Naples Federico II. Since 2016, nearly 2,000 students have participated in the free nine-month programme and graduated with the tools and training to find and create jobs in the iOS app economy, which supports more than 2.4 million jobs across Europe. Learn more about this and other stories of American companies’ commitment to the communities they interact with and the places they call home on Invested in Europe. 

Recommendations to the Spanish Presidency

19 Jun 2023
All Committees

On 1 July 2023, Spain will take over the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union against the backdrop of a volatile external environment. Over the next six months, strengthening the case for investing in Europe should be the top priority for the Spanish Presidency. Our recommendations to the Spanish Presidency aim to raise issues that are vital to shaping a strong and competitive EU and provide concrete input and direction to the Presidency’s work programme over the coming six months. 

Annual Report 2022

14 Jun 2023
All Committees

Between the war in Ukraine, skyrocketing inflation, the compounded energy and food crisis and the disruption of global supply chains, nothing about the external environment in 2022 was ‘normal’. Despite disruptions, AmCham EU remained committed to our mission of transatlantic cooperation. From the lessons learned in 2021, we remained a more flexible organisation, advocating for the Single Market, trade and democracy. Our Annual Report 2022 provides an overview of how we continued to be the top voice for US business committed to and invested in Europe. 

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