EU Platform against undeclared work
In the framework of the EU Platform against undeclared work, set up by the European Commission at the beginning of 2016, a seminar dedicated to the construction sector took place on 3rd May. The aim was to present and discuss tools and measures developed for the sector at national level, for tackling undeclared work, such as, for example, the “social ID cards” that exist in Sweden, Belgium and other countries. The members of this Platform are the representatives of the relevant authorities in the different Member States and the social partners of some specific sectors, including FIEC, participate as observers. All the information about the Platform and the seminar are available by clicking on “Read more”.
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DEI recommendations reflect FIEC’s concerns
FIEC participated in a workshop hosted by DG CNECT last week, on the progress made by the Digitising European Industry initiative. The recommendations presented in the session on the Internet of Things, in particular, reflect the concerns that FIEC has regarding open access to data platforms, interoperability, standardisation and access for SMEs. The timing of the event coincides with the completion of one of FIEC’s BIM Working Group’s priorities for its first work programme, namely the production of a manifesto on Business Information Modelling. This document has just gone to print and will be available very soon. FIEC is also working on activities related to Industry 4.0.
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FIEC promotes infrastructure projects pipeline in the B20 Policy Recommendations
On 3rd May, the B20 officially handed over its Policy Recommendations to German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin. The recommendations are the product of a year long process involving over 700 stakeholders from all G20 economies.
Developed under the theme “Shaping an interconnected world: Building Resilience – Improving Sustainability – Assuming Responsibility”, the B20 Policy Recommendations span the entire scope of the G20 process. This spans the need to maintain an open, rule-based trading system, to facilitating sustainable finance and increased efforts to widen the inclusiveness and resilience of the labour market in the face of technological change.
FIEC President Jean-Louis Marchand actively participated in this process and represented European contractors. In particular, he managed to push forward Recommendation 14 on boosting infrastructure finance: “G20 members should boost infrastructure finance by developing and promoting bankable and investment-ready infrastructure project pipelines and by enhancing the role of Multilateral Development Banks as catalysts for private sector investment“.
SMEs, energy efficiency, and the digital revolution are also high on the B20 Policy Recommendations.
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Call for proposals of €800 million for cross-border energy infrastructure
On 26th April, the European Commission launched a call for proposals, under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), to co-finance energy infrastructure projects in electricity, gas and smart grids. The call for proposals will run until 12th October. The subsidy agreements are expected to be signed by February 2018.The projects may be studies or construction works. They will be assessed on the basis of their state of maturity, cross-border dimension, contribution to removing bottlenecks in energy flows and contribution to the security of supply. The extent to which they support the integration of renewable sources and the development of smart grids as well as how they address the challenge of connecting those countries suffering from energy isolation, will also be evaluated.To qualify, projects must feature on the list of Projects of Common Interests (PCIs). This list comprises 195 key infrastructure projects considered essential for the completion of the single energy market.The CEF provides €5.35 billion for energy infrastructure for the period 2014-2020.
| LIST OF PCIS |