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.
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The EU proposed the Foreign Subsidies Regulation (FSR) in 2021 to address foreign subsidies distorting the Single Market. Operating as a screening instrument behind merger control, it requires companies to notify the European Commission of foreign financial contributions (FFCs) they may receive when participating in public procurement or mergers and acquisitions activity. Preventing FFCs from distorting the Single Market is an important goal – and one that must be achieved without creating its own disruptions.
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Authored by Malte Lohan, CEO, AmCham EU
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At the Alimentaria Conference in Barcelona, Edouard Coppieters, Senior Policy Adviser, AmCham EU, spoke about placing competitiveness at the centre of the European agri-food ecosystem. Taking place on Tuesday, 24 March, he outlined the role of simplification and Better Regulation principles in ensuring a stable agri-food supply chain and supporting the sector’s competitiveness. He noted that the sector operates within an international trade environment and that stakeholders across the value chain face challenges in adapting to the current legislative framework. He emphasised the need to simplify operations within the Single Market and ensure that legislation is fit for purpose rather than a box-ticking exercise. Aurélie Dufour, Europe Sustainability Engagement and Regulation Lead, Yum! Brands and Dirk Jacobs, Director-General, FoodDrinkEurope also joined the panel.
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