Events to look out for
What role for social economy in the future of work? – 16 November 2017, Gothenburg (SE). In this high level conference organised by the European Economic and Social Committee, you will have the opportunity to learn about the role of the social economy in the future of work.
EU-KOREA Workshop on Privacy and Data Transfers – 20 November 2017, Brussels (BE).
5th International Women4Energy Conference – 6 December 2017, Stuttgart (DE). The conference reaches out to all female professionals active in energy related innovation to create new business ideas and technology solutions for the energy market. Participants attending the conference will have the opportunity to book one-to-one business meetings with other participants.
Funding available
Investment Plan for Europe: EIB and OP boost access to finance for Finnish companies. The European Investment Bank (EIB) and OP Corporate Bank signed a EUR 150 million guarantee agreement to support medium-sized companies in Finland. The guarantee agreement allows OP to create a new loan portfolio of EUR 300 million for companies with a minimum turnover of EUR 30 million. The EIB will take up to 50% of the risk of this new portfolio.
EIF and Amen Bank sign first agreement in Tunisia for innovative SMEs. The European Investment Fund (EIF) and Amen Bank have signed the first agreement in Tunisia to provide EUR 60 million to innovative Tunisian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and small mid-caps. The agreement will help Amen Bank to provide financing to innovative companies via new partnerships with universities, science and technology parks and business incubators. The guarantee provided by the EIF and backed by Horizon 2020, the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, will cover 50% of each loan helping ease the cost of financing to SMEs.
EUR 14.5 million to foster blue growth in the EU. Innovation, marine litter, cooperation in the Mediterranean – the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund launched a call to foster a "Sustainable Blue Economy". With a total budget of EUR 14.5 million, the call will accelerate the implementation of the European maritime policy and the deployment of the blue economy across Europe and in the Mediterranean.
EU policies for better business
Report: EU trade agreements in place deliver tangible benefits. The European Commission has published last week a comprehensive report assessing the implementation of existing trade agreements. The report sheds light on what happens after trade agreements are negotiated and have entered into force.
European Commission proposes fishing opportunities in the Atlantic and North Sea for 2018. Last week the Commission presented its proposal for fishing opportunities in the Atlantic and the North Sea for 2018.
Get involved
European Commission gathers views on how to tax the digital economy fairly and effectively. The European Commission has launched a public consultation on how the EU can ensure that the digital economy is taxed in a fair and growth-friendly way.