OCTOBER 2013

Focus on Germany

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of businesses and the means to arrive at acceptable outcome. ICC lays the ground by assembling experts from companies, business federations and chambers in their commission work, in seminars, symposia and conferences where the necessary advocacy is discussed, determined and worked on. The challenge for ICC as a global and cross-sectoral organisation is to include the positions of businesses from developing and emerging countries. To that end a lot of effort is made to explain to and involve businesses via federations and chambers of industry and commerce.

are there any regulatory/legislative changes you would like to see?

We would like governments to come to an end within the WTO in order to have more liberalisation on a multilateral level. What we see at the moment is a spaghetti bowl of bilateral treaties that make it very difficult for small and medium-sized companies to always comply with the different rules and laws. Especially with world- wide supply chains, companies are obliged to examine the multitude of regulations that govern the country-to- country treaties.

Secondly, the reduction of customs, trade barriers and regulation that hinder businesses especially in developing and emerging countries should be envisaged actively by governments.

Thirdly, combating corruption is one of the priorities that we see for a level playing field for all companies. Lip service does not serve the purpose but action is demanded. This implies enterprises as well as governments on all levels.

Last but not least, interferences of states that undermine fair competition are another field of action.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Tolerance towards and understanding of one’s counterparts is of the essence for governments as well as for businesses. LM

Contact Details: angelika Pohlenz

Secretary General ICC Deutschland

Email apz@icc-deutschland.de Web: www.icc-deutschland.de

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