Based on the average innovation performance, EU Member States (according to the European Commission) fall into four different performance groups: Innovation Leaders, Innovation Followers, Moderate Innovators and Modest Innovation

 Innovation Leaders

1. Denmark (DK)
2. Finland (FI)
3. Germany (DE)
4. Sweden (SE)

 The above countries are “Innovation Leaders” with innovation performance well above that of the EU average.

Innovation Followers

European SMEs are the most important source of new jobs. However, they can only create jobs when they grow. In order to do so, they need the right skills, relevant support and a favourable business environment to innovate and become globally successful.

 Reducing Administrative Burden

 The Commission proposes to

1) Scotland has a rich and diverse economy

Scotland’s economy includes £ 21.4 billion in construction which employs 170,000 people, £ 11.6 billion in tourism which supports 292,000 jobs, £ 39 billion yearly turnover in manufacturing with a value added of £ 12.7 billion and 127,000 people employed. Scotland also has world leading expertise in life science, world class universities (5 in the world’s top 200), a multi-billion pound creative sector and vast energy (oil, gas, tidal, wave, wind and solar), fishing and agricultural resources.

Transparency of the EU legislative procedures

Percentage share of the Total World Nominal GDP

The Australian Trade Commission's (Austrade) role is to advance Australia's international trade, investment, education and tourism interests by providing information, advice and services. Austrade contributes to Australia's economic propserity by helping Australian businesses, education institutions, tourism operators, governments and citizens as they develop international markets; win productive foreign investment; promote international education and strengthen Australia's tourism industry.

CERT was initiated in 1999 in response to the need for an effective Canada-Europe business dialogueand to advocate for comprehensive bilateral free trade and investment liberalization.

CERT is Co-Chaired by Roy MacLaren, former Canadian Minister of International Trade, and William Emmott, former Editor of The Economist.

Leadership

CERT is composed of company and trade association members that jointly formulate policy recommendations and participate in executive roundtables with government representatives.

Australian Business UK is the only organisation in the United Kingdom that brings together professionals and companies who have Australian interests and connections through business networking opportunities and events. With over 300 corporate and individual members, Australian Business helps strengthen business links between Australia and the UK, and further members’ interests, in the UK and beyond.

1. Austria - Johannes Hahn, Regional policy commissioner, 56, EPP
2. Belgium - Marianne Thyssen, MEP, 58, EPP
3. Bulgaria - Kristalina Georgieva, Humanitarian Aid Commissioner, 61, EPP
4. Croatia - Neven Mimica, Consumer Affairs Commissioner, 60, S&D
5. Cyprus - Christos Stylianides, MEP, 56, EPP
6. Czech Republic - Vera Jourova, Regional Development Minister, 49, ALDE
7. Denmark - Margrethe Vestager, Economy Minister, 46, ALDE
8. Estonia - Andrus Ansip, Former Prime Minister, 57, ALDE

The purpose of MEP-Industry Forums is to facilitate and strengthen the exchange of information between the European Parliament and a given industry sector. Industry Forums are non-profit making organizations, which are supported by a wide range of MEPs from most political groups through a Steering Committee. They are independent and non-partisan platforms which contribute to enhance MEPs’ understanding of a given industrial sector.

Main Objectives of the Industry Forums