AmCham EU, in partnership with Digital Europe, the European Express Association and EUROPRO, are pleased to announce that their second joint conference “European Customs in a changing world - creating a more competitive business environment in Europe” will take place on Tuesday, September 14th 2010 at the Stanhope Hotel, Rue du Commerce 9, B-1000 Brussels.

We are delighted to announce that European Commissioner for Taxation and Customs Union, Mr. Algirdas Šemeta, will deliver the opening keynote address of the conference.

Our programme for the day also includes high-level panellists from the European Commission, the World Customs Organisation, national customs authorities as well as key industry and association representatives in what promises to be a lively day of discussion.

To register for the conference and view the full programme of this conference on the AmCham EU website, please click here.

Registration
Conference programme

Photo: Keynote speaker of the upcoming AmCham EU customs conference, Algirdas Šemeta, Taxation and Customs Union, Audit and Anti-Fraud (© European Commission)

Innovation is at the core of the European Union agenda, a flagship initiative of the EU 2020 strategy, and an integral part of the transatlantic economy.

In late September, the European Commission will issue a communication on EU Innovation Policy and at the December Council meeting the EU member states will debate and issue recommendations on the future of European innovation policy.

To add to the policy debate, the Executive Council (ExCo) of AmCham EU is organising on Friday, October 8th 2010 a conference on ‘Innovating in a Global Economy: Opportunities for Europe.’

The aim of the conference is to present concrete case studies, drawn from all over the world, and emphasize the perspective and role of the private sector.

The conference will be a forum in which key policy makers, global business leaders and innovation experts can share their insights on how to promote and develop innovation in a Europe which is open to the wider world.

The recommendations from the conference will be presented to the European Council, the European Commission and the European Parliament in advance of the December EU summit. Click here to register.
 
Registration

Photo: The Honorable William E. Kennard, US ambassador to the EU - one of the keynote speakers at the upcoming ExCo AmCham EU innovation conference on October 8th 2010

 Herman Van Rompuy, the President of the European Council, and Jose Manuel Barroso, the President of the European Commission, will welcome U.S. President Barack Obama at the next EU-US Summit in Lisbon, Portugal, on November 20th 2010.

The transatlantic relationship includes a commitment to advancing the ideals of democracy and human rights, fighting terrorism, preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and promoting growth and jobs.

Further information:
European Council

On July 28th, members of the AmCham EU Trade Committee met with Mr. Tim Reif, the General Counsel for United States Trade Representative (USTR). Mr Reif is responsible for providing legal advice to the USTR, Deputy USTRs, as well as regional and other USTR offices.

At the AmCham EU breakfast meeting, Mr. Reif briefed AmCham EU members on the USTR's priorities, including: the completion of the Doha round; Free Trade Agreements; trade issues and disputes with China; and closer cooperation with the EU.

In the question and answer session, the USTR's General Counsel responded to several questions touching upon a number of trade issues from trade barriers and export taxes to the enforcement of IP rights and compliance with WTO rules. Mr. Reif also asked AmCham EU members about their business experience and the issues facing their companies in the context of EU-US trade relations. 

PHOTO: Mr. Tim Reif, the General Counsel for United States Trade Representative (USTR).

Related web links:
Profile of Mr. Tim Reif, General Counsel, USTR
United States Trade Representative
DG Trade
 

On Tuesday July 20th, Ms. Nadia Calviño (Deputy Director-General, DG Competition) addressed members of the American Chamber of Commerce to the European Union (AmCham EU) outlining the European Commission’s priorities in the field of competition policy for the next five years.

“Our top priority has been dealing with the crisis”, Ms. Calviño stated during her keynote speech at AmCham EU’s July plenary meeting, before adding that "there is consensus on the need to enforce competition, even in these difficult times".