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The aim of ACE’s visit to Brussels was to enable business leaders from companies of all sizes and sector interests to grow their connections and engage at the European level, along with raising ACE’s profile at the EU level.
The visit commenced with an introduction to the CBI BBB’s operations and facilities, followed by a meeting with Jacqueline Foster MEP.
Ms Foster, who represents North West England for the Conservatives, spoke on transportation infrastructure priorities and the EU’s long term vision. She also challenged the engineering community to be more visible and connected to the political arena in order to effect appropriate policy at the EU level which will benefit UK business.
Following this, the delegation held a dinner at which the keynote speaker was Francesco Billeci of the Legal Affairs Unit at EuropeAid.
EuropeAid is the directorate-general responsible for designing and delivering EU development policies. Mr Billeci discussed a range of issues with delegates, with a particular focus on procurement.
Day two began with a briefing from the BBB team on effective representation, opportunities for UK firms and how best to influence decisions made at the EU level that affect the industry.
Following a meeting of the IBG, the delegation met with a range of key stakeholders. Jean-Arnold Vinois, head of unit for security of supply and energy markets at the Energy Directorate-General, gave a presentation of the EU’s long term strategy regarding energy infrastructure. This was followed by an update with Matt Hinde, first secretary for energy within the UK’s permanent representation to the EU.
BBB director Sean McGuire, along with colleague Naomi Harris, then discussed the EU landscape and how the business community can help to shape it.
Yiannis Argyropoulos of the Trans-European Transport Network Executive Agency concluded the meeting programme with a presentation on the EU’s priorities for transport infrastructure, including an overview of opportunities for UK businesses.
Following this successful visit, ACE will continue to engage with decision-makers in the UK and the EU to promote the engineering agenda, increase the skills base for the sector, and promote the contribution engineers can make to Europe’s transition into a high-growth, low-carbon economy.
The British Business Bureau was established in 1991 to provide the CBI’s trade association members with an additional, tailor-made service in Brussels. It is designed to monitor EU policy developments on behalf of its members and also provide strategic advice on, and facilitation of, EU representation.
As part of ACE’s membership of the BBB, ACE member companies can make use of a range of additional benefits including hot-desk and meeting room facilities at BBB’s Brussels offices.
For further details please contact Naomi Bari (nbari@acenet.co.uk).
Please also contact Naomi Bari to register your interest for any future European activities, briefings or information.
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