22 Jul 2025
Business Europe welcomes MFF focus on competitiveness
In a first reaction to the European Commission's Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) proposal, Business Europe, the association of national European business federations, was welcomed the gocus on competitiveness, but speaks out against the proposed new business levies as undermining the EU as an investment location and being counterproductive. Amongst other issues, the association welcomes the establishment of the European Competitiveness Fund, with its proposed € 409 billion budget, as well as the Commission's simplification efforts by consolidating various programmes into four strategic pillars, the emphasis on flexibility, and the inclusion of stakeholders in the Fund’s dedicated strategic board.
With regard to research and innovation, Business Europe acknowledges that the funding proposals for R&I, distributed across the European Competitiveness Fund and FP10, "appear to be high in ambition", but calls "for more clarity around issues such as governance and a ring-fenced budget for collaborative research".
The association announces that it will examine and discuss all proposals in more detail and is looking forward "to constructively engaging with all relevant stakeholders to resolve these crucial issues”.
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