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Second ETPOA CEO Conference call

ETPOA held the second CEO  conference call on the 3rd of June under its core mission to interconnect European TPOs and facilitate sharing their knowledge and experience about their response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants were:

  • ACCIÓ – Agència Per la Competitivitat de l’Empresa
  • BVE – Federation of German Food and Drink Industries
  • Enterprise Estonia
  • Enterprise Greece
  • FIAB - Federación Española de Industrias de la Alimentación y Bebidas
  • Flanders Investment and Trade
  • Germany Trade & Invest
  • HEPA – Hungarian Export Promotion Agency
  • Hub.Brussels
  • Italian Trade Agency
  • Trade Malta
  • Trade Service of the Ministry of Energy, Commerce and Industry (Cyprus)
  • VLAM - Flanders' Agricultural Marketing Board

The key points of the call can be summarised as follows:

  • There are mixed perceptions regarding an increased focus on Europe as substitute for the Asian markets in the global supply chain. There is pressure on some key supply chains to bring them to Europe. A national focus will lead to high prices and overstock. The cost and difficulty of replacing the current supply chains are emphasized and that in the near future things will return to normal with a global perspective. Some south eastern European countries and North African could be benefited with the companies trying to move the supply chain closer
  • With the current uncertainty and the companies less eager to travel for fairs and trade shows, there is an overwhelming number of participants that welcomes the idea of a joint EU pavilion, especially in third markets
  • Hybrid events are welcomed almost unanimously as a possible reality. B2Bs and trade missions could be from now on a first stage online that later leads to traditional meetings. Diverse skills will be required from the TPOs staff
  • AI as a means to optimise matchmaking between exporters and potential clients or create a more customised experience for users based on their needs
  • The dialogue among TPOs and the Commission will be especially relevant in avoiding duplicated efforts. In view of numerous initiatives, money and resources depletion could be avoided. A proposal for the Commission to share information with TPOs, so that limited resources are allocated to different activities.