History

In updating EUROCHAMBRES’s timeline, our objective was to put into perspective the initiatives it has taken in favor of its members and SME’s since its creation, at that time” Conference Permanente des CCI”, (CPCCI) in parallel with the development and deepening of the European construction. Since 1957, the European project has grown to become a reality for over 440 million people, while undergoing spectacular economic and technologic changes.

From 1958 to 1987, year of adoption of the Single European Act, Committees and working groups are created within the CPCCI. Their objective is to define common positions for the Chambers, towards the main policy areas of European Economic Community (ECC): Customs union, Regional and Transport policies, European law. In parallel, projects are launched to promote cross-border cooperation and training programs on EU integration are offered to CCI’s. During this period, the CPCCI becomes EUROCHAMBRES and grows from 6 to 21 members. In the years 1987-2000, the European project intensifies and accelerates with the creation of the Internal Market followed by the introduction of the EURO. The ECC makes way fornthe European Union (EU). The world’s map changes with the fall of the Berlin Wall and its impact on the Communist bloc. SME’s are confronted to globalisation and the 3rd industrial revolution. In this historical context, EUROCHAMBRES develops a wide offer of programs and projects aimed at supporting CCI’s. In 1992, the cooperation agreement with the Chinese CCI’s is the first ever signed with a third country and paves the way for EUROCHAMBRES’ international CCIs network. EUROCHAMBRES expands its membership to 36 members.

Since 2000, further milestones have been reached in the EU’s history, starting with the accession of 13 new countries and the adoption of the Lisbon Treaty. But it has also been a time of unprecedented crisis and challenges: climate change, the global financial and economic crisis, the refugee crisis and Brexit have forced the EU to evolve and adapt. It has also been a period of disillusions and growing distrust towards the EU, its institutions and representatives. EUROCHAMBRES has met each of these challenges by accompanying and helping the CCI’s.

New projects were launched such as assistance programs in favor of countries from the 5th and 6th enlargement. Similar projects were developed for the Western Balkans’ CCI’s, Turkish and Neighboring countries CCIs. Projects on energy efficiency and on Internal market issues are proposed to CCI’s. In response to the economic crisis, a vast internationalisation program for SME’s has been set up. Finally, EUROCHAMBRES is among the very first to launch a project to help regulate the refugees influx, already in 2015.

All along, EUROCHAMBRES has never ceased promoting and fighting for a greater involvement of EU Chambers within each and every European institution. These ongoing efforts have reinforced the CCIs’ institutional stature. Moreover, it has enabled EUROCHAMBRES to profile the unique bottom-up approach of its network. EUROCHAMBRES expands its membership
to 45 members .

Today, it’s an unparalleled crisis we are faced with. COVID-19 has brought the global economy to its knees. Our political and economic leaders have to rise to this challenge of restarting the European economy and preserving a sustainable social cohesion within the EU, while ensuring the safety of its citizens. An unfailing European collaboration and solidarity will be needed. In this common effort, CCI’s have a crucial role to play and a unique opportunity to reassert the importance of their role in our economy and societies.