The Commission publishes an updated edition of the EU funding opportunities’ overview for SMEs
The European Commission published a new edition of the overview of the main funding opportunities available to European SMEs. The funding is available in different forms such as grants, loans and,...
27 February 2012 - Read more
Interim forecast: euro area in mild recession with signs of stabilisation
The unexpected stalling of the recovery in late 2011 is set to extend into the first two quarters of 2012. However, modest growth is predicted to return in the second half of the year. On an annua...
24 February 2012 - Read more
The automotive industry must prepare for e-mobility
The use of electric vehicles and the establishment of a new network of players - is set to drive the automotive industry in a radical new direction. In recently commissioned research (Managing the...
23 February 2012 - Read more
Joint Research Centre to create permanent forum on science needs of industry
The JRC has decided to create a permanent Forum to strengthen dialogue and cooperation on the science needs of industry in key sectors for European competitiveness.
The initiative was launched follow...
22 February 2012 - Read more
The new frontier of Smart Regulation
At the Competitiveness Council meeting on 20 February, ministers adopted conclusions on a future smart regulation agenda with a strong end-user focus, following an invitation by the European Counc...
21 February 2012 - Read more
Japan’s trade deficit hits record high on fuel imports
Japan's trade deficit surged to a record high in January as a strong yen hurt exports and its nuclear crisis resulted in increased fuel imports.
The deficit stood at 1.5tn yen ($19bn; 12bn) as expo...
20 February 2012 - Read more
China automotive industry zooming ahead
The Chinese automotive industry has witnessed a huge development as consumers have more purchasing power, and road infrastructure has improved.
The country's low labour costs and supportive geo...
17 February 2012 - Read more
Education and training: emphasis on employability
How can education and training support the EU's strategy to promote growth and jobs, and how, in particular, can they contribute to reducing youth unemployment? Those were the main topics discusse...
16 February 2012 - Read more
CARS-21 Working Group on Vertical Agreements
15 February 2012 - Read more
Commission’s first Alert Mechanism Report: tackling macroeconomic imbalances in the EU
The EU’s new rules on economic governance, the so-called "six-pack" has two legs: fiscal and macroeconomic surveillance. The macroeconomic imbalances procedure is a new tool that helps detect and co...
15 February 2012 - Read more
New Classification and Labelling Inventory opens way to safer use of hazardous substances
A big step towards a safer use of hazardous chemicals was taken today with the publication of the first EU Classification and Labelling Inventory. Released by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), i...
14 February 2012 - Read more
New cars offer glimpse of hope on economy
New car registrations rose marginally in January, showing what manufacturers and dealers described as a “stabilizing trend” for a bellwether consumer market.
The total rose by 42 units to 128,8...
13 February 2012 - Read more
EU and India sign Joint Declaration on Energy
A Joint Declaration on Energy cooperation was signed today in the margins of the EU-India Summit. It renews the commitment of both sides to enhance cooperation in the energy field and identifies pri...
10 February 2012 - Read more
SIAM opposes India-EU FTA; says it can kill auto mfg sector
The auto industry body SIAM is opposing the proposed India-EU free-trade agreement (FTA) and is worried about the impact of the FTA on the Indian auto sector. President of SIAM, S Sandilya discusses...
10 February 2012 - Read more
Environment Committee backs “roadmap” to low carbon economy
As reserves of fossil fuels decline and the world tries to tackle the problems of greenhouse gases, the EU wants to shift to a low carbon economy. On Tuesday MEPs on the Environment Committee called...
09 February 2012 - Read more
Cars, software, services threaten EU-India trade deal
Hopes of India and the European Union striking a free trade deal at a summit this week are fading fast, with differences over duties on cars and market access for software and service companies stan...
08 February 2012 - Read more
Obama urged to restrict Chinese auto parts
Lawmakers from Midwestern US states and groups from the auto parts sector urged Barack Obama, US president, to take action to restrict imports of auto parts from China.
“I think all of us...
08 February 2012 - Read more
Enterprises must boost innovation as global competition becomes stronger
Almost all Member States have improved their innovation performance according to the Innovation Union Scoreboard 2011. However, innovation performance growth is slowing down and the EU is not clos...
07 February 2012 - Read more
Tax Coordination: TPG discusses FATCA, VAT and national tax reforms
Improving and accelerating tax coordination in key areas that can contribute to economic stability and growth is the focus of today's meeting of the Tax Policy Group (TPG) in Brussels. Algirdas Šeme...
07 February 2012 - Read more
Fold-up car of the future unveiled for Europe
A tiny revolutionary fold-up car designed in Spain's Basque country as the answer to urban stress and pollution was unveiled Tuesday before hitting European cities in 2013.
The "Hiriko," the Basque...
06 February 2012 - Read more
January 2012: Economic sentiment increases in both the EU and the euro area
In January, the Economic Sentiment Indicator (ESI) rose by 1.2 points in the EU and by 0.6 points in the euro area, to 92.8 and 93.4, respectively - the first pick-up in sentiment since March 2011....
03 February 2012 - Read more
January 2012: Business climate indicator improves in the euro area
In January 2012, the Business Climate Indicator (BCI) for the euro area rose for the second month in a row.
The improvement in the BCI was mainly driven by a more positive assessment of production...
03 February 2012 - Read more
US group says China ‘subsidising’ auto part makers
A US trade group has accused China of providing "illegal government subsidies" to car part makers, a practice it says was hurting US firms.
The Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM) said China'...
02 February 2012 - Read more
European SME envoys make life of small enterprises easier
European Commission Vice-President Antonio Tajani welcomed the progress on access to credits and simplification initiatives in the Member States. At the second meeting of the Network of SME Envoys i...
02 February 2012 - Read more
WTO rules in favour of EU against China’s export restraints on raw materials
The Appellate Body of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) today confirmed the findings made by a Panel in July 2011 that China's export restrictions on several industrial raw materials are in breac...
01 February 2012 - Read more