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UEA Newsletter
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UEA Newsletter
Access to finance for smaller enterprises in the enlargement countries
The EU has developed an important number of schemes, loans and others kinds of financial support focus in the enlargement countries who are now completing the transition from the planned economy to open markets. With those programs the EU aims to create a favourable atmosphere for the SME’s in the each countries, allowing them to find financial resources with a low cost. The programs of the EU are focused on: Education and training, Access to finance, Access to research and innovation, patents ,Support services , Public administration , Employment and working conditions.
For more information:
http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/enterprise/enterprise'policy/enlargement/cc-best'directory/individual'measures.htm#loanBR>
Information for the upholstered industry from VDM
The VDM (Verband der deutschen Möbelindustrie) has published a leaflet on the labelling of textiles for upholstered furniture.
Copies can be obtained from Mister Baums in the following telephone numbers: 0-22-24/93-770 or 0-22-24/93-77-77.Germany
Study of Enlargement countries by UNICE
UNICE did a deep analyse of the all the countries of the enlargement process. In this report you will find a short description by country as well an useful analyses of the economical and political situation and the measures that each country should achieve to have a successful integration in the UE. If you are interesting in this report you can find it on:
http://www.unice.org/C125679E00338D8B/AllDocumentsSearchEng/463A066F4FC61421C1256AFF00372547/$File/CandCount-E.pdf
New materials for the furniture industry
AIDIMA (Instituto Tecnológico del mueble), has published a handbook « New materials and technology for the furniture industry » where you will find the last trends about materials in the furniture sector.
This handbook contains a thorough analysis of all the materials used in the furniture sector from wood, boards, to glue…. as well the new technological processes.
For more information: www.adima.es
Presentation of the new Furniture-Portal
The second week of January was the date of the official presentation of a new website for the Furniture World. The website is the result of a long process of work with as single goal the creation of the most innovative web in the furniture sector. You will find a complete data base of the most important companies in Europe with access to their web sites. It will allow free search of any type of furniture producers, suppliers, retailers and services; anything you would like to know about furniture.
For more information you can visit the search engine at www.eu-furniture.com
All interested companies are welcome to join in by registering on the above websites.
TRENDS IN EUROPEAN UNION FURNITURE INDUSTRY 2001
Globally, 2001 has been positive for the furniture industry in almost all the EU countries however, the production growth rates are included in a bracket of 1 to 5%. During the first half-year of 2001, exports of furniture to extra-EU countries continued to rise (+9.1%) Imports from third countries rose by 8.8% especially imports from Poland, China and Czech Republic.
By country Germany and Austria show negative figures in their turnover compared with the same period in 2000. The rest of the countries have moderate growth (around 1%) in their turnover and only the production of the UK and Netherlands arise strongly close to 5.5% For more information mail to: secretariat@UEA.be
New access to BSP (Business support program)
The website of BSP ( www.uea-ceibois-bspproject.com ) is since now accessible to all the UEA member using the following log-in and password (login : UEA and Password: 1234 )
The main objective of the BSP is to strengthen the CEEC business organisations capability to effectively support and represent the interest of the enterprises in the EU environment, with special reference to the adoption and implementation of the Community “Acquis”
POSITION OF THE UEA ON THE NEGOTIATION OF THE ACCESSION OF RUSSIA TO THE WTO
While strongly supporting the accession of Russia to the WTO, the U.E.A. asked the European Commission to defend the double zero option for furniture under the different codes of the Combined Nomenclature included in 9401, in 9403 and 9404 during its negotiations with the Russian authorities for the accession of Russia in the WTO. This means that Russia also should adopt a zero import duty rate for the import of all types of furniture. Further information upon request: secretariat@UEA.be
Consultation of the EU about use of the public information
On 23 October 2001 the Commission adopted a Communication on the re-use and the commercial exploitation of public sector information: "eEurope 2002: Creating a EU Framework for the Exploitation of Public Sector Information".
In the frame of this resolution the European Commission has launched an online consultation on a Working document outlining a possible legal instrument on the re-use of public sector information within the Community. The working document and the underlying documents can be found at:
http://www.cordis.lu/econtent/psi/home.html
Access to European legislation Free
In line with the institutions' transparency policy, from 1 January 2002, access to and consultation of all official documents available in the EUR-Lex portal, especially to documents published in the OJ, will be free of charge, allowing free access to all European Laws and Directives concerned with our sector.
http://www.europa.eu.int/eur-lex/en/index.html
European macro-economic indicators
Here you will find some relevant recent European indicators:
· Industrial producer prices down by 0.3% in euro-zone in December 2001.
· Industrial and retailer confidence Indicator slow down for tenth month consecutive.
· Unemployment in the Euro-zone still stable in 2001 accounting for 8.5% .
Draft proposal for a "Commission Regulation Implementing the Council Regulation on the Community Design"
The Commission has presented to the Member States the draft proposal for a "Commission Regulation Implementing the Council Regulation on the Community Design"
The Regulation sets up a simple and inexpensive procedure for registering designs with the European Union’s Office for Harmonisation in the Internal Market in Alicante. Unregistered designs will also be protected.
The Commission would expect to have this Regulation adopted by the Summer 2002. To read the draft, please check: http://europa.eu.int/comm/internal'market/en/indprop/draft'des'en.pdf
“La Scheda prodotto” Approach of Italian Furniture Sector to its buyers
Federmobili and Federlegno have signed a deal to adopt the Italian Law 126/91(Scheda prodotto)in the Italian furniture sector. This Law is focused on the right of Consumers to get information on the product they are purchasing. The adoption of this Law means that the producers will provide information about characteristics (technical, design, components, use) of their product to Consumers. If you need more information, please check: http://www.federmobili.com/home.html
Slovenia ,Lithuania and Latvia have joined SAPARD program
The Commission has formulated an agreement with Slovenia, Lithuania and Latvia to join SAPARD program.
This program support initiatives in the field of agriculture and rural development. The main projects supported by SAPARD are: Investments of agriculture enterprises, processing and commercialisation of agricultural product, training and reforestation of crops. For more information of SAPARD program:
http://europa.eu.int/scadplus/leg/en/lvb/l60023.htm
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