Increasing investments in Flanders through European guarantees

“Thanks to InvestEU, our companies can develop innovative products without having to depend on large non-European financiers who push them in a particular direction.” MEP Ralph Packet responds with satisfaction to the approval of the InvestEU investment programme by the European Parliament. MEP Packet was a member of the negotiating table for the dossier. “Europe is thus stimulating public and private investments in sustainable and innovative projects and businesses in Flanders.”

EUR 40 billion in guarantees

In concrete terms, this means that, after 2020, some EUR 40 billion in European guarantees will attract investment of around EUR 650 billion. The focus is on SMEs, innovation and sustainable infrastructure. “We know that there is not enough venture capital in Flanders. “Thanks to InvestEU, our companies can develop innovative products without having to depend on large non-European financiers who push them in a particular direction.”

Streamlined programme

This renewed programme efficiently merges all existing financial instruments into one streamlined programme. “Not only the financial instruments but also the management structures are now being greatly simplified”, explains Packet. “In addition, we have emphasised the role of the national investment banks. As a result, the Vlaamse Participatiemaatschappij PMV can take full responsibility for the implementation of the investments.”

Perfect closure

For MEP Packet, this was the most important issue for which he negotiated on behalf of the ECR The N-VA is a member of the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR), a conservative, eurorealistic parliamentary group in the European Parliament. The N-VA shares their realistic view of the European project and also advocates for the correct and intensive application of the subsidiarity principle. For example, we must not be afraid to ask ourselves if it would be better to leave certain European initiatives to the Member States. The N-VA also identifies with the emphases that the ECR places on the social-economic issues. Since the 2014 elections, the ECR has become the third largest parliamentary group in the European Parliament. ECR group. “Our approach was amply included in the end result, therefore we have made a clear difference. Its adoption at the very last plenary session of this legislature is the perfect conclusion to a fascinating political period”, concludes Ralph Packet.