EU4Business: Connecting Companies

New project supported by EU4Business focuses on creating connections between companies in the Eastern Partnership countries and those in the EU

‘EU4Business: Connecting Companies’ is the name of an ambitious new action managed by EUROCHAMBRES and funded under the EU4Business initiative of the European Union. The main aim is to promote trade between the EU Member States & the 6 Eastern Partnership (EaP) countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova & Uktraine.

The ‘EU4Business: Connecting Companies’ project builds upon the positive results of the successful East Invest projects that were developed and implemented by EUROCHAMBRES from 2010 until 2017, and which were also funded by DG NEAR. The new project will focus in particular on 5 specific sectors of economic activity, where there is considerable potential for growth in trade between the EaP countries and the EU. The chosen sectors are: Bio/organic Food, Creative Industries, Textiles, Tourism and Wine.

The ‘EU4Business: Connecting Companies’ project was presented to delegates attending the Eastern Partnership Platform 2 meeting in Brussels on 17 January 2020. Arnaldo Abruzzini, CEO of EUROCHAMBRES, was invited to explain how the new project will create and strengthen contacts between businesses in the 6 EaP countries and companies in the EU Member States.

According to Mr. Abruzzini: “The ‘EU4Business: Connecting Companies’ project will contribute to sustainable economic development and job creation in the Eastern Partnership countries by helping small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to grow – especially by promoting increased trade, encouraging inward investment and fostering business links with companies in the EU.”

During a period of three years (2020-2022), the project will support a wide range of activities for Business Support Organisations, including local and regional chambers, and businesses in the EaP countries & EU Member States – such  as B2B Matching, Twinnings and Study Visits.