WRITTEN QUESTION E-1624/02

by Fernando Fernández Martín (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(6 June 2002)

Subject: Chambers of Commerce in Mercosur

Over the last decade European trade has become more focused on Latin American markets, especially Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Venezuela, whose markets are large and well-developed. However, the balance of trade between Latin America and the European Union accounts for only 5,8 % of Europe's share in world trade.

The Chambers of Commerce play an important role and in their latest report for January-February 2002 they propose measures such as introducing new programmes, promoting initiatives aimed at attracting more interest on the part of European companies, encouraging exchanges of technology, information and know-how, and improving communication and information on the opportunities for doing business in Latin America, and the advantages associated with it. What measures is the Commission taking and what plans does it have to promote the role of the Chambers of Commerce in the development of economic and trade relations between the EU and Mercosur?

Joint answerto Written Questions E-1623/02, E-1624/02, E-1625/02 and E-1626/02given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(26 July 2002)

The Community cooperation programmes for economic cooperation have a strong emphasis on strengthening trade, investment and institutional relations between the Community and Latin American countries.

The ongoing AL-Invest programme that aims at economic cooperation between the Community and Latin American small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) has proven to be a successful tool for increased economic relations between Latin America and the Community. It provides support to the SME's in both regions in searching and exploring new markets and economic opportunities.

The Regional Strategy and programming document for Latin America has foreseen the continuation of the AL-Invest programme on the 2002-2006 period. It will aim at promoting trade and investment between the two regions through strengthening relations between the Community and Latin American business communities.

An independent evaluation of AL-Invest has been carried out in 2001 which confirmed the success of the programme: 92 % of the organising participants (chambers of commerce, industrial organisations, etc) consider the programme to be an effective and efficient tool. It observed a minimum return on investment ratio of 1/7,5, i.e. every euro spent on the programme generates minimum EUR 7,5 in Community-Latin American business.

The evaluation stressed the necessity to incorporate institutions representative of the private sector in the administration of the programme and recommended integrating the pilot ATLAS programmes designed for Chambers of Commerce in the AL-Invest programme for better consistency in the overall activity.

In October 2002 the Commission aims to propose a new AL-Invest programme that shall take these recommendations into account. Special emphasis shall then be given to strengthen the capacity of business organisations to represent the private sector in matters related to international trade and related issues and to offer high quality services to their member enterprises. Activities will also include business meetings, capacity building and diagnostic tools to support trade and investments between the two regions.

The role of chambers of commerce from both continents in this programme will be very important both as beneficiaries and as organising participants.