Executives, government representatives, entities and NGOs will participate in the gathering to discuss proposals for an interregional agreement

Market access, investments, services and cooperation in special projects: these are the main issues that will be debated during the 4th Plenary Session of the Mercosur European Business Forum (MEBF), which will be held from October 28 to 30, at the Blue Tree Park Hotel, in Brasília. By visiting the entity’s website, at www.mebf.com.br, executives, government representatives, entities, NGOs and anyone who has special interest in the themes may immediately register to participate.

Established in 1999, during the Summit Meeting between the European Union, the Americas and the Mercosur, ever since it was constituted, the MEBF was officially considered by the governments of both regions as a facilitator for organizations interested in searching from new proposals, suggestions and recommendations.

According to Ingo Plöger, the entity’s co-chairman for the Mercosur region, this is a unique opportunity to advance dialogue with the European Union and conquer new markets. "The Mercosur, and particularly Brazil, have been very successful in many international agreements, presenting the local industry’s quality, efficiency and competitiveness to the world. In many sectors, we can compete head-on, while in other areas we need to negotiate the removal of barriers, subsidies, and other items," said Plöger.

Another point to be emphasized is that the event will take place immediately after a new round of meetings held by the World Trade Organization this month in Cancun. This is the fundamental moment for the future of the negotiations between Mercosur and the European Union and this is why the 4th Plenary will carry even more weight.

Over and beyond the plenaries, participating executives will get together in Workgroups, divided into three themes – Market Access, Investments and Services, and Cooperation in Special Projects. To participate in these meetings, a request must be made to the coordinators of each region (Mercosur and European Union). This can be done at www.mebf.com.br, by clicking on the Workgroup link.

The Mercosur European Business Forum’s 4th Plenary Session will be held from October 28 to 30, at the Blue Tree Park Hotel, in Brasília. For more information, to register to participate, and for details on the event’s program, visit the website at www.mebf.com.br.

Sponsors: 4th Plenary sponsors include DaimlerChrysler, Degussa, Itaú, Siemens, Telefônica and UNICA.

History

The initiative came up during the Brazil-Germany Economic Gathering, in 1998, aiming at involving the private initiative in the discussions regarding the Mercosur and European Union trade relations. Established in 1999 during the European Union, Americas and Mercosur Summit Meeting, it is a business community initiative aimed at increasing the commercial relationships between the two blocks. Using plenary conferences, the private sector contributed in the search for solutions to eliminate or reduce barriers in this process.

MEBF’s activities have given rise to three conferences: Rio de Janeiro (1999), Mainz (1999) and Madrid (2002). The Business Facilitator Conference was also held in Buenos Aires, in 2001, counting on the participation of some 300 executives and business entity representatives.

The forum has received a great deal of attention from negotiators and authorities because it is considered that the event contributes to the advancement of trade ties between the European Union and the Mercosur. The MEBF also works to ensure negotiation results are always taken to the business communities, aiming at having their active involvement in the negotiation process.

The Forum is currently chaired jointly by Ingo Plöger (co-chair for the Mercosur) and Guy Dollé (co-chair for the European Union). At the end of the gathering, all recommendations will be collected in a document that will be sent to the authorities of both regions. The goal is to contribute in the political negotiations for an agreement between the Mercosur and the European Union for the formation of a future free trade zone.