On January 23, Confapi President Christian Camisa and BVMW Chairman Christoph Ahlhaus issued a joint statement stressing the need for stronger action and greater unity to protect Italian and German manufacturing SMEs. Addressing Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, they underlined the crucial role that a strong and united Europe can play in a rapidly changing global order, as well as the opportunities this presents for European SMEs.
This statement follows the “Bolzano Appeal” of October 2024 by Confapi, BVMW, INSME and European Entrepreneurs. The initiative united these business associations to urge the then-new European Commission to prioritize key areas for creating essential change in the European economy. One year later, significant policy changes are more urgent than ever in order to save the crucial function SMEs serve. In particular, according to the statement, the EU must move forward with the Mercosur agreement and promote new free trade deals with external partners, such as India, to compensate for the impact of tariffs and unfair competition.
Confapi and BVMW also called for stronger European measures to support SMEs, including simpler bureaucratic procedures and a revision of the Green Deal aimed at reducing energy costs and ensuring a more market-oriented green transition. Ultimately, the statement advocates stronger support for European SMEs, with a particular focus on companies registered within the EU.
As the press release concludes, SMEs are the backbone of the EU economy, and ensuring their prosperity is essential to Europe’s economic strength, social model, and long-term stability.
Source: CONFAPI, BVMW
