Sarah Cardell’s Post

🚨 Exciting News on UK/EU Competition Cooperation! 🚨 The UK Government and the European Union have successfully concluded technical negotiations on the UK-EU Competition Cooperation Agreement. This new agreement will enhance cooperation between the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) and the EU’s competition authorities, supplementing the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA). Key Highlights: Enhanced Dialogue: Facilitates greater communication between the CMA, the European Commission, and National Competition Authorities of EU Member States. Effective Enforcement: Aims to improve the enforcement of global competition laws, benefiting businesses and protecting consumers in both the UK and EU. Cross-Border Cooperation: Supports collaboration on investigations into unfair competition practices that cross UK-EU borders. Supporting Growth: Complements the Prime Minister’s call for UK regulators to support the Government’s growth mission. Statements from Leaders: Business & Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds: “This agreement underscores the importance of international cooperation in our global economy. Effective competition law enforcement supports economic growth and protects businesses and consumers.” Sarah Cardell, CEO of the CMA: “We welcome this agreement, which will enable closer collaboration with EU competition authorities on shared cases and issues. Effective competition drives economic growth, and global cooperation is crucial for achieving the best outcomes.” The agreement is set to be signed in the coming year, with Parliament reviewing the text once published. This milestone marks a significant step in strengthening UK-EU cooperation for mutual benefit, especially significant after Brexit redefined and separated the roles of these regulatory bodies. 🌍🤝 #CompetitionLaw #UK #EU #InternationalCooperation #EconomicGrowth #CMA #TradeAgreement Feel free to share this post alongside the article for more insights!

The UK and EU have concluded technical negotiations on a competition cooperation agreement, with the aim for it to be signed in the coming year. The proposed agreement, which is not yet published, is said to allow for the coordination of investigations and will (as per the European Commission) “set out clear principles of cooperation aimed at avoiding any conflicts between jurisdictions”. It is expected to benefit both the CMA and DG Comp in handling similar or related cases, enhancing their ability to collaborate and share information - although a waiver remains necessary for sharing confidential information. Could this be a step towards greater regulatory alignment and a stronger UK-EU partnership? Only time will tell! The development, together with the important work done by the OECD in bringing authorities together, should mean greater scope for more meaningful cooperation.  #UK #EU #CompetitionLaw #RegulatoryCooperation #twobirds

Prioritizing EU negotiations: Montenegro’s strategic approach in the Western Balkans #Cees #Cefta #Eu #EuropeanCommission #GrowthPlan #Montenegro #Obligations https://lnkd.in/dyFj_hY5

We recommend reading the report from our colleagues at the Conservative European Forum concerning the future of UK-EU relations 🇬🇧🇪🇺 The report presents a range of practical and industry-driven recommendations aimed at promoting a more positive UK-EU relationship. It's definitely worth your time! #EUUKRelations Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) Europe

Prioritizing EU negotiations: Montenegro’s strategic approach in the Western Balkans #Cees #Cefta #Eu #EuropeanCommission #GrowthPlan #Montenegro #Obligations https://lnkd.in/dCU7tjwB

"Ukraine has begun its path to the European Union, which is an extremely important step in the country's development. However, few people seem to realize the scale of changes that Ukrainian businesses will face in connection with this process. Here are just some of the key aspects that will require adaptation: ▪️replacement of Ukraine's import duties with EU duties; ▪️replacement of Ukraine's export duties with duties applied in third markets to the EU; ▪️cancellation of all Ukrainian free trade agreements and accession to the relevant EU agreements with new conditions, rules of origin, etc; ▪️elimination of localization in public procurement; ▪️Ukraine's transfer of its trade policy to the EU level; ▪️implementation by Ukrainian business not only of the CBAM, but also of the entire Green Deal, which covers a huge number of regulations in the field of sustainable development; ▪️implementation of all other EU initiatives, such as the ban on imports of goods produced with the use of forced labor or illegal logging, as well as the preparation of extended sustainability reporting along the entire supply chain. This list can be continued for a long time, as integration into the EU is a complex process that will affect almost all areas of Ukrainian business. ☝🏻In the context of all these changes, it is obvious that the main thing now is not to conduct negotiations quickly (the Ukrainian government says two years in this context), but to conduct them efficiently, so that Ukrainian business has sufficient transition periods to fulfill all requirements and avoid bankruptcy. It is very important that all negotiations are conducted transparently and with the involvement of Ukrainian business," shares her thoughts Anzhela Makhinova, Partner at Sayenko Kharenko and moderator of the first panel of the second day of the І Investment Forum, which will be held on June 6 and 7. During this session, we will have the opportunity to discuss the steps that Ukrainian business should take towards European integration right now, as well as to communicate with representatives of the Government on the specifics of involving Ukrainian business in the negotiation process. 📑Full program of the event: https://bit.ly/3THAjXf 🎯Join this large-scale event to discuss promising investment opportunities and reflect on solving legal challenges in areas that are important for the further sustainable development of Ukraine - register for the Forum now: http://surl.li/rqzqs

A very clear report. However, financing should not be left to contributions from individual countries, as this will only lead to struggles and resistance, especially in the countries that need to contribute the most. The best and chicest solution is for the EU itself to levy taxes on companies with annual turnover above 100 million euros. (after all, these companies benefit most from the open market that the EU presents to them). https://lnkd.in/en5jWk5h

🇪🇺 Will Europe wake up on time?👉 Mario Draghi calls for action. The Draghi report is a stark warning: Europe's competitiveness is declining and the clock is ticking. From complex regulation, to stifled innovation, to slow legislative processes, the EU faces daunting challenges. The proposal calls for streamlined legislation, pro-artificial intelligence policies and a concerted effort to boost the Single Market. For more details, see the article by Árpád Lapu.⬇️ https://lnkd.in/dV2anPDS #EuropeanCompetitiveness #DraghiReport #Innovation #EURegulation #EconomicPolicy #SustainableGrowth #Decarbonization #SingleMarket #TechInnovation #RegulatoryReform

✅ Our government's #strategy on "International Economic Relations and #DevelopmentCooperation" = cooperation with developing countries, puts major weight for #privatesector, i.e. engaging #Finnish #businesses in #foreigntrade, #development (& #financing ❗). Everything we do, should be in line with this report. Probably the most business friendly edition in our government history. Link here (https://lnkd.in/dEz5ESTq) and in Finnish in the comments below (⬇️) #TeamFinland Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland Työ- ja elinkeinoministeriö – Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment (Finland) Finnfund Finnpartnership Business Finland EastCham Finland Elinkeinoelämän keskusliitto EK – Confederation of Finnish Industries Keskuskauppakamari (Finland Chamber of Commerce)

“Regarding China’s latest action plan to attract foreign businesses that addresses some of their major concerns, such as cross-border data transfer, foreign firms say what they need is concrete action, including implementation of government policy at the local level. The new plan, issued by the State Council to its departments and provincial-level governments on Tuesday, instructs authorities to allow foreign investment in more sectors and strengthen policy support for foreign companies. This includes improving the business environment to create a level playing field for foreign and domestic firms. But while the plan addresses highly relevant issues for the foreign business community, ‘the true test lies in how and when the plan is translated into tangible actions on the ground,’ Maximilian Butek, executive director of the German Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai, told Caixin. Butek added that despite the central government initiating measures to address the challenges, sometimes these aren’t implemented.” “Beijing’s action plan also reiterates some measures included in a 24-point guideline issued in August, which was released after net foreign direct investment (FDI) in the Chinese mainland tumbled 87% year-on-year in the second quarter. Net FDI for the whole year dropped to a 30-year low. Both the action plan and the guideline call for equal treatment of foreign and homegrown businesses. But according to Butek, German businesses often aren’t informed early enough about public tenders by provincial-level governments. The level of transparency in matters such as subsidies also differs between regions, he said. ‘China has to decide whether they want to be open or not,’ said Butek. The new action plan and the guideline are among a series of measures that Chinese policymakers have rolled out to boost foreign investment amid the slump in FDI. The country’s top leaders, including President Xi Jinping, have also in the past few months repeatedly pledged to support foreign businesses in China.” “Onodera Osamu, a vice chairman of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry in China, said the plan and the guideline both represent a good ‘signal,’ but they need to be put into action. He pointed out that even when sectors are removed from the negative list for foreign investment, there may be other regulations effectively barring participation by foreign firms. The European Union Chamber of Commerce in China also hopes for the implementation of measures ‘that can tackle key issues that businesses face, for instance, the facilitation of cross-border data transfers’. The new action plan aims to standardize the regulation of cross-border data security to facilitate data transfer between foreign companies in China and their overseas headquarters. The Cyberspace Administration of China’s regulations on cross-border data flows took effect Friday. ‘Businesses need to see action, especially in areas that pose the biggest challenges,’ the EU chamber said.”