Economic Forum - Growth: Why and how?

Our speakers were:

• Dr David Landsman, British Ambassador
  
• Constantine Thanassoulas, Partner, Eilon Associates Ltd, Chief Executive, Premier European Capital Ltd, non-executive Director of Toledo Corporation Plc, UK
  
• Andreas Koutras, Director, In Touch Capital Markets Ltd
• Dimitris Haralabopoulos, Greek Bank Analyst, HSBC Securities S.A.
  

In his speech, the British Ambassador David Landsman emphasised the important role the EU must play, alongside Member States, in creating conditions for growth.  

«As Member States, including Britain and Greece, take steps to improve the business environment alongside efforts to reduce deficits, we must ensure that the EU works in the same direction. This includes re-examining regulation and ensuring that the EU only regulates when it is necessary and useful; especially ensuring that SMEs can function without excessive regulation; completing the Single Market, especially in services, by returning to the spirit which led to the creation of the Single Market in the late 1980s and 1990s; and strengthening trade between the EU and other countries and regions. The challenge to Europe from the growing economies of Asia is real, and we have to focus on improving our competitiveness. But Europe still has many advantages, and  by taking the right steps now we can ensure a strong future for Europe with the growth that we need.»

Ambassador Landsman also highlighted proposals made recently in Brussels by British Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, including regular reviews of the EU’s performance on growth, to identify what works and what needs to be changed, and the possibility of the EU appointing a Growth Ombudsman to champion the growth creators of Europe and tackle obstacles to business.

Photos from the event