24 January 2017
SEA Europe, the Shipyards and Maritime Equipment Association, warmly welcomes the “green light” given today by the European Parliament’s International Committee (INTA) to the ratification of the EUCanada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA).
The EU and Canada approved and signed CETA on 30 October 2016, following lengthy and intense negotiations. The European Parliament and EU national Parliaments must approve CETA before it can take full effect. CETA will make it easier to export goods and services, benefitting people and businesses in both the EU and Canada.
SEA Europe Secretary General Christophe Tytgat said: “CETA will have a significant positive impact for the European maritime technology industry and, thus, contribute to enhancing its economic and strategic importance for Europe. CETA will indeed make it more attractive for the European industry to export vessels and equipment to Canada, inter alia, through the phasing‐out of 99% of all industrial tariffs. Furthermore, CETA will also have positive effects for the employment in our industry”.
Beside reducing regulatory costs as well as easing the certification procedures for the shipbuilding and maritime equipment industry, CETA is also expected to open‐up the Canadian procurement clauses”, Mr. Tytgat added.
“The European maritime technology industry’s market is a global one. Trade liberalization and market opening through the conclusion of agreements, such as CETA, are key to ensuring the long‐term growth and competitiveness of our industry. SEA Europe is delighted that the CETA ratification is heading in the right direction and, following the consent expressed today by the INTA Committee, looks forward to a positive vote by the Parliament’s Plenary in mid‐February, Mr. Tytgat concluded.
Background Note:
SEA Europe brings together CESA and EMEC and represents an industry which generates more than €91 billion turnover annually and offers employment in high profile jobs for more than 500 000 Europeans. The association represents close to 100% of the European shipbuilding industry in 18 nations, encompassing the production, maintenance, repair and conversion of all types of ships and floating structures, commercial as well as naval including the full supply chain with the various producers of maritime systems, equipment material, and services.
For further information please visit www.seaeurope.eu or contact:
Christophe Tytgat, Secretary General
ct@seaeurope.eu
Tel: +32 (0)2.230.32.87
