US businesses cite ten proposals ‘to give more focus’ to Lisbon Agenda

By Anna McLauchlin

Date: 14/10/04

THE American Chamber of Commerce to the EU has identified ten priorities that it claims will help Europe become "the place to do business by 2010".

The list is being presented to the government of Luxembourg, the next holders of the EU presidency, today (14 October).

Amcham EU, which represents 130 US companies with European operations, says the recommendations will "give more focus" to the beleaguered Lisbon Agenda and the battle to boost Europe's competitiveness.

Customs should be harmonized by slashing paperwork and procedures, and introducing a single EU authorization, which the organization claims could cut overall costs by 25%.

On the problem of ageing populations, Amcham EU calls for member states to cut labour costs such as social security contributions for companies employing the long-term employed and the over-60s.

On the quest for an EU patent, which has been bogged down in rows over translation and court powers, Amcham EU's solution is to "use English as the language of choice of the scientific community".

Amcham EU says the European Court of Justice and the Commission should come down harder on member states that do not fully liberalize their public services, highlighting that only eight member states have fully opened their electricity markets.

"One of the main priorities for moving things forward is focusing on real targets, rather than vague comments on what should be happening," said Amcham EU's managing director Susan Danger. "The UK has already welcomed our ideas."

The document will be sent to the key players in the member states, particularly the next two EU presidencies, Luxembourg and the UK, where Amcham EU says there is most work to be done.

Amcham EU, the American Chamber of Commerce to the EU identified ten priorities that it claims will help Europe become 'the place to do business by 2010' and presented the list to the government of Luxembourg, the early 2005 holders of the EU presidency, 14 October 2004. Amcham EU, which represents 130 US companies with European operations, says the recommendations will 'give more focus' to the Lisbon Agenda and the attempts to boost Europe's competitiveness.

Amcham EU: Homepage http://www.eucommittee.be/

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