The SME2B Europe 2024 Business Forum is behind us, which provided a valuable voice for the European economy and strengthened EU-Africa cooperation. The meeting in Brussels was also an opportunity to elect a new board of European Entrepreneurs CEA-PME, in which the RIG of Katowice is represented by Tomasz Zjawiony.
The deteriorating economic situation in Europe
The forum took place in the shadow of increasingly poor economic data from key European economies such as Germany and France. Participants pointed out that the last year and the months leading up to the end of Ursula von der Leyen’s presidency of the European Commission had been marked by a deepening economic crisis, forcing European businesses to step up their efforts to regain competitiveness and protect prosperity.
In response to these challenges, European Entrepreneurs CEA-PME has taken a number of actions. It had already launched its Manifesto in June 2023 and in January 2024 it launched the Europe Unlocked campaign, calling for greater competitiveness. Another step was the Antwerp Declaration, launched in February 2024, created by representatives of large industry. All these initiatives underline the need to set new priorities in European Union policy for 2024-2029, such as creating a more business-friendly environment, strengthening the single market, reducing bureaucracy and lowering energy prices.
The Trust Economy
One of the main topics discussed during the forum was the concept of a ‘European economy based on trust’. Confidence is supposed to be the key element in rebuilding the economy and its absence in the current reality is hampering the development of businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which are the backbone of the European economy.
The Trust Economy postulates:
- Trust between legislators and SMEs
- Trust between EU Member States
- Trust in the future of Europe
European-African cooperation
An important element of the forum was the expansion of cooperation between European and African entrepreneurs. During the event, several new organizations joined the EU-African SME Alliance, including the Shared Value Africa Initiative, Start-up SME Centers SSCGhana Limited and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Katowice.
The new signatories, in the presence of the alliance’s founders, pledged to work together to increase competitiveness and reduce regulatory burdens in both regions. The venture aims to build long-term, trust-based business relationships that will contribute to economic development in both Europe and Africa.
Results of the forum
The SME2B Europe 2024 Business Forum marks another step in building a strong partnership between Europe and Africa, improving economic conditions in Europe and new challenges for the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Katowice.
During the visit to Brussels, the Katowice Chamber joined the EU-African SME Alliance and RIG President Tomasz Zjawiony was once again elected for a 4-year term as a Member of the Board of Directors of European Entrepreneurs CEA-PME.
In addition to the President of the Chamber, the event was also attended by Marlena Miąsko, Vice President and Deputy Director General of RIG Katowice.