The health crisis we face today is an unprecedented challenge for our society. American companies have taken immediate action to not only protect their employees, support communities in Europe, and around the world, but also to develop innovative solutions to address the global emergency. At the same time, AmCham EU member companies are striving to preserve business continuity in a safe and responsible manner.
Take a look at some of their stories.
The health crisis we face today is an unprecedented challenge for our society. American companies have taken immediate action to not only protect their employees, support communities in Europe, and around the world, but also to develop innovative solutions to address the global emergency. At the same time, AmCham EU member companies are striving to preserve business continuity in a safe and responsible manner.
Take a look at some of their stories.
Healthcare companies are using their expertise to develop COVID-19 vaccine candidates as well as medicines that can be used in prevention and management of serious consequences related to COVID-19. Many of them have also significantly increased their production of medicines, medical devices and personal protective equipment.
Additional resources for supporting health workers in the front lines are also contributed by companies that have not traditionally been active in the healthcare sector. Many have found creative ways of contributing their skills and infrastructures, by re-purposing their facilities and technologies. For example, companies with 3D printing technologies have begun to produce face shields; producers of spirits, perfumes and cosmetics are contributing to the production of hand sanitiser; transport companies are utilising their aircraft and vehicle fleets to transport equipment to areas in need. New technological solutions to track, map and use computing capabilities are continuously developed to support communities, researchers and governments to address and better understand some of the impacts of COVID-19.
Finally, to support global relief efforts companies have pledged to support the United Nations COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund, and other similar initiatives, created to address communities in need and the requirements of healthcare workers on the frontlines. Companies are also creating grants and programmes to assist small businesses likely to be impacted most in this crisis.
Tackling this global pandemic, and its health and socio-economic effects, requires strong cooperation between government, business and civil society. We all have a role to play. Find out more from our COVID-19 portal.
Together with industry associations representing a wide range of sectors, AmCham EU has signed a joint statement calling for the upcoming Circular Economy Act to be grounded in an internal market legal basis. The statement highlights the need for harmonised EU rules to address fragmentation in waste management systems across Member States and support the development of a functioning Single Market for secondary raw materials. It also underlines the importance of a consistent EU framework to strengthen circularity, improve waste management performance and support investment in recycling and resource efficiency.
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On Tuesday, 24 February, AmCham EU hosted Stefan Olsson, Deputy Director-General, Jobs, Skills and Social Policies, Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, European Commission to discuss how closing the skills gap can strengthen Europe’s competitiveness. As shortages across sectors continue to affect productivity, investment and innovation, participants reflected on progress one year after the launch of the Union of Skills and the importance of sustained public-private cooperation. The discussion explored how Europe can build a future-ready workforce to support the green and digital transitions while addressing labour market mismatches. Aurelia Takacs (Cisco), Chair, Social Impact, Inclusion and Skills Committee, AmCham EU moderated the discussion and examined practical policy solutions to strengthen skills development, improve labour market alignment and support inclusive economic growth.
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Four years ago, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. On the anniversary of the invasion, the American Chamber of Commerce to the EU (AmCham EU) reiterates its condemnation of Russia’s aggression. It is a breach of international law and an assault on the values we stand for. The Ukrainian people have continued to demonstrate commendable bravery in the face of adversity and a growing humanitarian crisis.
American companies in Europe remain steadfast in their support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and are committed to the country’s reconstruction and recovery, underpinned by closer integration with the EU. Once peace is secured, the scale of the task ahead will be immense. Recent estimates from the World Bank put the cost of reconstruction and recovery at $588 billion over the next decade, underscoring both the urgency of action and the need to mobilise investment at unprecedented levels.
In the past year, policymakers on both sides of the Atlantic have launched initiatives to encourage security and future prosperity in Ukraine, not least the Ukraine Support Loan, the US-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund and the Flagship European Fund for the Reconstruction of Ukraine. American businesses stand ready to support the success of these efforts, which can only fully achieve their objectives with long-term security and stability in Ukraine.
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