EBC Meeting Minutes

EOB Meeting Notes

Tuesday, May 24, 2005; EBC Office, 08:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

      


Attendees: R. Collasse, A. Murray, J. Edberg, C. Marquant, E. Ullner, J. Bertrand (for D. Delgorge)
G. Schlosser, P. Gibb, P. Stalman, H. Porat, T. Henriksen

Regrets: M. Lachaussee, M. Otter, A. Zimmermann, T. Varlid

1. REPORT FROM THE CHAIRMAN:

  1. Breakfast meeting with ACCJ group re LDP presentation (May 16)
    The meeting went well and was an opportunity to coordinate the ACCJ and EBC presentations to the LDP scheduled for May 26. R. Collasse will be citing French data showing that 30% of Frances's GDP originates from FDI, which is a very positive argument. It was agreed that the ACCJ and the EBC would participate in a common press conference by the end of June as a follow-up to the presentation.

  2. Presentation to LDP Corporate Governance Committee (May 26)
    The presentation and EBC'S FDI position paper were distributed

  3. Meeting with Ambassador Zepter (May 10)
    Among the topics discussed was the upcoming presentation of the ACCJ and EBC at the LDP on May 26th, possible dates in November for the EBC white paper launch, and the current status of the 2005 EJBDRT.

  4. Meeting with Enterprise Estonia Chairman (May 16)
    RC met with Ms Tea Varrak, Chairman of the Board of Enterprise Estonia, built on the model of Enterprise Ireland. She had been well briefed on the EBC and Japan and RC gained the impression that Enterprise Estonia is a dynamic organisation.

  5. EJBDRT
    There could be a section about Airbus Industries in the EJDBRT.
    R. Collasse has been advocating inclusion of the financial services sector. The Japanese side will include a few high-ranking executives from the financial services. On his side, R. Collasse solicited Mr. de Castries and Mr. Duverne, both with Axa, and whom, having interest in the event, might participate in the EJBDRT in 2006.

  6. Others
    The White Paper possibly will be launched on November 14th or 17th. However, we are waiting o hear the dates of the EC Regulatory Reform meetings with the Japanese Government as our date will be set in coordination with those talks. The last EBC BoG/EOB meeting of the year will be held on December 13th to be followed later that day by an evening cocktail party hosted by R. Collasse/Chanel.

2. REPORT FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR:

  1. Initiation of new part-time policy officer - activities
    Christian Marquant, a former ETP participant, was introduced by A. Murray. He will work 2 days per week, mainly in support of committee activities.

  2. Event: update on Demographic seminar
    Around 40 people will participate in this seminar on June 1.

  3. Update on Secretariat with Medical Equipment Committee
    A meeting with the Committee Chairman, Mr. Kamijo, is scheduled. It looks like the problem of who will manage the secretariat might be resolved as one of the member companies has volunteered. However, a clear solution has not yet been reached.

  4. ETP presentations - May 23 and 26
    May 23 - A. Murray made a presentation about the EBC to the new ETP programme participants.
    May 26 - This will be a 2-hour session that will remind the current ETP participants about the EBC and also include other aspects that could be informative for this particular group, such as a presentation on taxation and retail issues.

  5. White paper 2005:
    (i) The outreach sponsorship actions will start in mid-June.
    (ii.) Production Schedule: the white paper will be finalized at September end. It will then be sent to the translators and printer to be ready for a launch in mid-November.
    (iii) Likely launch date: the 21st or the 24th of November.

  6. Others
    - The ETPA questioned the EBC about the possibility of hosting the organisation within the EBC premises in the future,. This could become a modest source of income for the EBC.
    - R. Collasse was approached to participate in a committee about the new ETP that currently is under discussion. The importance of the ETP programme was emphasised.

3. REPORT FROM THE POLICY DIRECTOR:

  1. Committees report
    (i) Telecommunications
    J. Edberg gathered information on the spectrum allocation from Vodafone and had meetings with the Cabinet office and the MIC.
    (ii) Retail
    The point that the tableware is an overregulated market was made through a position paper and J.Edberg and the committee are following up on distribution of the paper.
    (iii) Food
    A constructive meeting took place with the Ministry (MAFF).
    (iv) Materials
    EBC is moving forward on the nickel-related products tariffs issue and is arranging meetings with the METI officials in charge of this sector.
    (v) Airlines
    Action is being taken to acquire a better understanding of the airlines market. Research on retail sales is required.

  2. Cross-cutting issues report
    - The joint presentation of the ACCJ and EBC at the LDP , an important event for the EBC, was
    prepared.
    - The EBJDRT will include some issue-specific matters, particularly regarding the telecommunications
    sector this year. This year, we are required to assess progress on all of the issues raised last year.
    - JIC - Nothing to report this month.

4. ORGANISATIONAL ITEMS:

  1. Funding Proposal - Next steps
    There has been no negative feedback on the latest version of the proposal. The voting will have to be conducted by e-mail. Before the vote on the new formula for the calculation of EBC stakeholder fees, it will be necessary to explain again how this formula works.

6. DAIMLERCHRYSLER CUP REPORT:

  1. Progress report from Erik Ullner
    It is now time to start soliciting sponsors, but planning is proceeding as scheduled.

7. ANY OTHER BUSINESS:

None.