In a recent statement, the European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA) welcomed the European Council’s call for a European Competitiveness Deal.
According to ECSA, the conclusions of the European Council summit mid-April in Brussels highlight that efforts are required to close growth, productivity and innovation gaps between the EU and its international partners and main competitors towards a climate-neutral economy. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen highlighted four major areas of action to further deepen our Single Market and transform it into a real European market:
- Improving access to capital for European companies
- Reducing the cost of energy
- Improving the skills of our workforce
- Strengthening trade with the rest of the world
ECSA welcomes the call of the European leaders for a European competitiveness deal. According to ECSA, securing EU’s economic resilience is stressed as an objective, while it is highlighted that global competitiveness, technological leadership, and attractiveness as a business location are key for Europe.
The energy transition has become the new international battlefield of economic competition and security. European shipping is not only a front-runner in green investments but also a cornerstone of Europe’s energy, food and supply chain security. We need now a clear plan to organize the energy transition and enhance the international competitiveness of the European industry including shipping.
… said ECSA Secretary General, Sotiris Raptis, stressing that “We need to turn the European Green Deal to a European competitiveness deal“
