The EU and the Philippines have reached a substantial agreement in their negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which is intended to strengthen economic ties between the EU and another fast-growing strategic partner in South-East Asia. Maros Šefčovič, Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, and Maria Cristina Aldeguer-Roque, the Philippines’ Secretary of Trade and […]
The Commission is proposing a new European Innovation Act to promote innovative European ideas and make them globally competitive
The Commission has proposed a new European Innovation Act to help ensure that Europe’s most innovative ideas are developed, funded and scaled up in Europe. A key initiative under the EU Strategy for Start-ups and Scale-ups and the EU Competitiveness Compass, the proposal will strengthen the EU’s long-term competitiveness, prosperity and technological sovereignty. Europe boasts […]
The Commission proposes simpler and more strategic public procurement rules
The European Commission has adopted a proposal for a new Regulation to modernise and simplify the EU’s public procurement framework in order to support effective investment in public services and infrastructure in line with the Union’s policy objectives. Building on extensive consultations with public purchasers, businesses, trade unions and civil society, the Commission is proposing […]
EU-Chile Interim Trade Agreement enters into force
The EU-Chile Interim Trade Agreement (ITA) has entered into force, following the completion of Chile’s ratification process. The ITA, which was signed in December 2023, is of key geopolitical importance. It will boost the competitiveness of businesses on both sides, while providing a shared platform for the development of our net-zero economies. This work will be further underpinned by ongoing […]
Supporting European SMEs to participate in public procurement outside EU
The participation of SMEs in public procurement is a win-win situation. It helps SMEs to grow and scale-up, it improves their reputation, and helps them to obtain more business in the private sector. For public authorities, it increases the number of offers the public buyers get, ultimately increasing the chances to obtain the best value […]