FIEC Newsletter – 10 Νοεμβρίου 2020

According to the European Commission’s Autumn Economic Forecast, investment in construction will drop by 6.7% in 2020 compared to 2019. Temporary closure of construction sites and a significant decrease in building permits severely hit the sector in the first half of 2020. Uncertainty forced companies to revisit spending plans and households to postpone or cancel construction projects. Renewed restrictions in the last quarter of 2020 are expected to have a modest impact with construction activities generally being allowed to operate.For 2021 and 2022, the European Commission is forecasting an increase in investment by 5.2% and 2.9% respectively.

An important conference on the Construction Products Regulation (CPR 305/2011) will be held at a critical moment in the process of revising the Regulation.  On 20 November, the German government will continue its tradition of having an annual conference on the CPR.  Speakers this year include individuals from the European Commission, ministries, CEN, companies and EU federations including FIEC. More information, including the full programme and the registration link can be found on the website below.

On 6 November FIEC Vice President Lubomir Katchamakov and Director General Domenico Campogrande contributed during an online conference organised by MEP Iskra Mihaylova on the Renovation Wave.In the presence of Commissioner Kadri Simson, responsible for Energy, they highlighted the huge opportunities that the Renovation Wave represents for the construction sector, but also the challenges regarding its funding, the need to invest in training and education, to speed up procedures and not to forget also the need for renvoation and maintenance of infrastructure.