Ref. Ares(2015)4646499 - 28/10/2015
Ref. Ares(2017)3665978 - 20/07/2017
Meeting Report – Institute of Directors (IoD) 20/04/2015, Brussels
Attendants:
Allie Renison, Head of Europe and Trade Policy, IoD
Maria Asenius (Head of Cabinet Malmström), Art. 4.1b
(DG TRADE)
30 minutes meeting in which IoD, the largest cross-sectoral group of business leaders
in the UK (35 thousand members), explained that its members are favourable to TTIP,
and that they are campaigning publicly in support of the agreement. IoD will publish
shortly a report concerning the impact of TTIP on SMEs (mid-May) and will
participate in the SMEs workshop and stakeholder event organized on the margins of
the 9th round of TTIP negotiations. IoD also offered help with providing the EC with
data and input on particular industry sectors in the UK.
The discussion developed around the following areas of TTIP:
1. ISDS
IoD underlined that ISDS is not a huge priority for its members – not only in TTIP,
but also in general in the public policy debate.
2. Main IoD priorities in TTIP
Following an internal survey among IoD members:
cutting of red tape, elimination
of import tarifs on the US side (e.g. important for the textile sector), and
removing
barriers to labour mobility. Problems concerning projects requiring staff mobility
for the period between 6 and 12 months, exceeding granted work visas, and obstacles
in establishing bank accounts were mentioned.
The HoC thanked IoD for their input in promoting TTIP, especially in the context of
recent anti-TTIP campaigns and the ongoing debate in the social media. She
underlined that support is needed in public debate in particular MSs and industries.
3. Procurement
The IoD delegation was interested in what TTIP will mean for procurement laws, and
what are the interests of the US business and stakeholders in this area. The HoC
referred to the Commission’s view on the issue and invited IoD to provide the EC
with arguments on how to gain support from US states in the area procurement.
4. Labour mobility and SMEs
IoD provided positive examples of the exchange of workers between the EU and the
US – within multinational companies that create employment both in the EU and the
US, such as GSK, Honda or Toyota. IoD expressed the concern that TTIP will benefit
mostly big companies rather than SMEs. IoD pointed out that SMEs have problems
with exporting to the US also because of the fear of the US lawsuit culture (e.g. in
steel sector).
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The HoC informed that on the margins of TTIP negotiations the EC is exploring
options to improve labour mobility. She also mentioned mutual recognition of
professionals and certification of professionals as important issues.
The HoC emphasized that TTIP will be beneficial both for big companies and for
SMEs, which function without the corporate lawyers structure. It will bring reduction
of tariffs, regulatory cooperation, cutting of red tape and elimination of duplication of
certificates, requirements, permissions etc. All in all, TTIP will bring big economic
gains to the companies irrespective of their size. Also, the simplification and
introduction of single procedures will be less time-consuming.
The HoC also mentioned that the goal of TTIP negotiations from the EU perspective
is to have a separate SMEs chapter. She underlined, once again, the importance of the
input from industry in the process. According to IoD, it is difficult to collect input
from companies on the record, as industry is more willing to share its problems and
opinions in private discussions.
6. Financial services The IoD chair noted the importance of financial services area in TTIP. IoD is aware
that financial services regulatory cooperation is one of the sensitive issues for the US
in the negotiations and that there is a division of responsibility between the USTR and
the Treasury.
The HoC reminded that Commissioner Malmström and European Financial Services
Commissioner Jonathan Hill have agreed about a necessity of a broad discussion on
financial services in a consistent way in TTIP.
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