News

Winter 2018 Interim Economic Forecast: A solid and lasting expansion

The Commission has launched the EU Blockchain Observatory and Forum with the support of the European Parliament, represented by Jakob von Weizsäcker responsible for the recent report on virtual currencies.

Seasonally adjusted GDP rose by 0.6% in both the euro area and the EU during the fourth quarter of 2017, compared with the previous quarter, according to a flash estimate published by Eurostat, the EU statistical office.

The Commission welcomed the final report by its High-Level Expert Group on Sustainable Finance (HLEG), which was published on 31 January and sets out strategic recommendations for a financial system that supports sustainable investments.

The European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI) – the central pillar of the Investment Plan for Europe – is already expected to trigger EUR 264.3 billion in investments, following the latest transactions to be approved by the European Investment Bank (EIB) Board of Directors.

"Europe's economy has entered 2018 in robust health. The euro area is enjoying growth rates not seen since before the financial crisis."

The European economy’s robust performance over the past year is set to continue in 2018 and 2019 with growth of 2.3% and 2.0% respectively in both the euro area and EU, according to the interim economic forecast issued on 7 February.

SAVE THE DATE! Brussels Economic Forum - 5 June 2018

Agenda

Public consultation on EU funds in the area of investment, research & innovation, SMEs and single market. Deadline 8 March 2018

Public consultation on building a proportionate regulatory environment to support SME listing. Deadline 26 February 2018

Public consultation on fake news and online disinformation. Deadline 23 February 2018

Automatic stabilisers: taxes and benefits

EU Candidate Countries’ & Potential Candidates’ Economic Quarterly (CCEQ) - 4th Quarter 2017

This report by the European Commission presents the findings of the seventh post-programme surveillance mission to Portugal and identifies remaining challenges for the Portuguese economy.

This report by the High-Level Task Force on Investing in Social Infrastructure in Europe, looks at investment in social infrastructure such as healthcare, education and affordable housing. The report is co-published with the European Long-Term Investors Association (ELTI).

The Commission has proposed new rules to give Member States more flexibility to set Value Added Tax (VAT) rates and to create a better tax environment to help SMEs flourish.

In January, the Economic Sentiment Indicator (ESI) decreased slightly from its 17-year high in both the euro area (by 0.6 points to 114.7) and the EU (by 0.4 points to 114.7).

ECFIN Director-General Marco Buti delivered the keynote speech on “The Future of the EU fiscal governance” at the FIRSTRUN Final Conference at CEPS, a leading think tank and forum for debate on EU affairs, on 29 January.

On 23 January, the report on “Boosting Investment in Social Infrastructure in Europe” was published and presented at a high-level event in the Charlemagne building in Brussels.