The event will take place in Brussels on November 6, 2018 and focus on “FDI and Inclusive growth: accelerating Europe’s competitiveness and attractiveness”, providing a deep dive into how business and government can work together to create long-term value and contribute to improving Europe’s growth prospects. Additionally, the event will serve as a platform to present and discuss the results of the last EY’s Europe Attractiveness Survey, one of EY’s flagship thought leadership programmes.

Foreign direct investment (FDI) is part of Europe’s economic lifeblood. The 2018 EY’s Europe Attractiveness Survey found that, in 2017, foreign investors made more than 6,500 decisions to invest in the 50 countries of greater Europe. The report comes at a critical time for the future of Europe. It shows that there is everything to play for. But the winners — corporate and geographical — will be those who learn and understand the new rules, and apply them to best effect.

However, economic indicators only tell one side of the story. It is crucial to also understand the impact of foreign investment on societies and communities. It could be inferred that FDI only accomplishes its purpose when it fosters sustainable, long-term and inclusive growth that benefits everyone in our societies, not just a few.

This goes well beyond doing business responsibly; it means applying the knowledge, skills and experience we use in our business every day to help address society’s toughest challenges, and contributing to improving Europe’s competitiveness and attractiveness. But this will require both government and business to work together and align their interests to create long-term value for all stakeholders, employees, shareholders and wider society.

The survey also found that, although investors are concerned about economic and political instability, investors’ confidence in Europe has recovered to 50% (up from 35% in 2017). This provides fertile soil for both the public sector and business leaders to engage investors on the importance and value of promoting more inclusive and sustainable growth – which ultimately helps us to build a better working world.

Keynote speakers:

• Marc Lhermitte, EY, Partner
• Jeroen Jutte, European Commission, DG EMPL, Head of unit for "Employment and Social Aspects of the European Semester"

Panel discussion moderated by Elizabeth Krahulecz, EY, EMEIA Public Policy, Head of Brussels Office

• Susan Danger, AmCham EU, CEO
• Lúcio Vinhas De Souza, European Political Strategy Centre (EPSC), Economics Team Leader
• Jacob Lund Nielsen, Teneo Brussels, CEO
• Katya Smirnyagina, Invest Europe, Vice-Chair & Capricorn Ventures, Partner

Please confirm your participation by registering on the link.