EUROPEAN BUSINESS SUMMIT- CEOS WANT MORE EUROPE' - BUT ON BUSINESS-FRIENDLY TERMS

Out of 430 top executives questioned, a total of 28% felt the EU had not benefited their businesses, whilst only 23% believed it had had a very positive impact. Of the 11 EU member states involved, companies based in the UK and Italy come out as the most sceptical, with negative responses received from 37% and 44%, respectively.

According to the authors of the study, Roland Berger Strategy Consultants, the key message is that the EU must deliver more for the private sector. The top priority among CEOs is the liberalisation of market regulations. Some 91% of respondents mentioned this when asked which would be the most effective EU political initiatives for boosting growth and competitiveness over the next ten years. Energy markets, insurance, telecoms, ICT and gambling were all cited as specific areas where more liberalisation is needed, as was labour market regulation. The second most popular response was the development of transport infrastructure, followed by the need for the EU to simplify standards and cut red tape (86%).

The survey was presented at the European Business Summit in Brussels on 15 March. The Secretary-General of BusinessEurope, Philippe de Buck, claimed the results amounted to a call for action. He stressed that CEOs are in favour of Europe, and urged political leaders to "take up this business support and carry through the necessary structural and institutional reforms". Evidence for this support comes from responses to the general question of whether executives would like to see more' or less' Europe. Over two thirds (67%) said they would like to see a stronger EU, with only 11% wanting to see its role reduced.

Another key message is that the EU should develop as a major player in the alternative energy and environment sectors. When asked what role the Union should play to promote sustainable development, 70% stated that it should act as a promoter of new energies. According to the head of Roland Berger, Burkhard Schwenker, "the majority of CEOs want to see the Union promoting alternative energies to help guide investments in these new technologies". He noted that the executives want to see the EU set global standards, and that the promotion of green industries' might provide such an opportunity. "In this area, Europe could gain the competitive edge on a global scale."

The survey was conducted between October 2006 and March 2007, and with the exception of Poland only involved companies based in old' EU15 countries. The authors claim the intention was to focus on the EU's strongest economic regions.