Werkgeversgroep van EESC roept banken en autoriteiten op tot meer maatregelen om vertrouwen van bedrijven te verbeteren (en)

EN

CES/ 08/94

24 October 2008

On 21 October 2008, amid this unprecedented financial crisis, Mr Guido Ravoet, Secretary General of the European Banking Federation, presented the European banking sector's strategies for restoring business confidence to the Employers' Group of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC).

The Employers' Group, chaired by its president, Mr Henri Malosse (France), welcomed the rescue plan launched by the EU institutions and the Member States. The Group also supported the proposal put forward at the weekend by the EU Presidency, the Commission and the United States for a new "Bretton Woods" agreement.

Nevertheless, members of the Employers' Group expressed their concerns to Mr Guido Ravoet regarding the financial impact of the current crisis on SMEs and business as a whole. Despite the guarantees put forward by all interested parties, members seriously feared the "credit crunch". They pointed out that the sharp drop in funding could also affect long-term investments. In their view, European banks had to face their responsibilities.

Mr Guido Ravoet agreed that "banks must do their utmost to restore confidence by cleaning up their balance sheets and communicating precisely their financial situation". He added that this would not be easy, whether at EU or international level, and would require "joint efforts and a lot of coordination on all sides".

Mr Henri Malosse concluded by expressing his concerns regarding the impact of the financial crisis on the economic situation, growth and employment in the EU. He stressed the need for a common, voluntary and consistent EU action plan aimed at boosting SMEs and relaunching private and public investment in industry, innovation, education, and infrastructure. These actions were key to restoring business and consumer confidence.

On 23 October 2008, the EESC's plenary session also adopted an opinion on ' The ethical and social dimension of European financial institutions' by rapporteur Mr Iozia (Group II, Employees, Italy).