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European Commission Spokesman's Briefing for 08-07-30
From: EUROPA, the European Commission Server at <http://europa.eu.int>
CONTENTS / CONTENU
[01] July 2008: Economic sentiment declines significantly in both the EU
and the euro area
[02] July 2008: Business Climate Indicator for the euro area declines
further in July
[03] Official appointment of the EIT Governing Board: the European
Institute of Innovation and Technology set for an Autumn launch in Budapest
[04] Commission clears acquisition of Lite-On Technology by Wistron
[05] Commission clears acquisition of PDT by Ramius and MorganStanley
[06] Statement by European Commission President, José Manuel Durão
Barroso, on the outcome of the Geneva world trade talks
[07] Autre matériel diffusé
Midday Express of 2008-07-30
Reference: MEX/08/0730
Date: 30/07/2008
EXME08 / 30.7
MIDDAY EXPRESS
News from the Communication Directorate General's midday briefing
Nouvelles du rendez-vous de midi de la Direction Générale Communicationb
30/07/08
[01] July 2008: Economic sentiment declines significantly in both the EU
and the euro area
In July, the Economic Sentiment Indicator (ESI) declined sharply in both
the EU and the euro area. It fell by 5.8 points in the EU and by 5.3 points
in the euro area, to 88.7 and 89.5 respectively. In both regions, the ESI
recorded its largest month-on-month decline since October 2001 to reach its
lowest level since March 2003.
[02] July 2008: Business Climate Indicator for the euro area declines
further in July
The Business Climate Indicator (BCI) for the euro area continued to decline
and now stands below its long-term average. The low level of the indicator
suggests that economic activity in industry, which saw a fall in production
in May, remains subdued. All the five underlying components of the BCI
registered a decrease. Industrial managers' production expectations and
their appraisal of total order books deteriorated most, but their
assessment of production trend observed in recent months and export order
books also declined significantly. Their assessment of stocks of finished
products worsened only slightly.
[03] Official appointment of the EIT Governing Board: the European
Institute of Innovation and Technology set for an Autumn launch in Budapest
The EIT's first Governing Board was officially appointed today following a
European Commission Decision. The Board will hold its inaugural meeting in
Budapest on 15 September 2008 with a view to establish the basis that will
lead to the launch of the first two to three Knowledge and Innovation
Communities (KICs) by the end of 2009.
[04] Commission clears acquisition of Lite-On Technology by Wistron
The European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger
Regulation to the acquisition of sole control of Lite-On Technology
Corporation by Wistron Corporation. Wistron is active in the development,
design and manufacturing of laptops, notebooks and other electronic
components for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM). Lite-On Technology
manufactures LCD / CRT display monitors at OEM level. The operation was
examined under the simplified merger review procedure.
[05] Commission clears acquisition of PDT by Ramius and MorganStanley
The European Commission has granted clearance under the EU Merger
Regulation to the acquisition of joint control of Phoenix Dichtungstechnik
GmbH (PDT) of Germany by RCG International Opportunities SARL (Ramius) of
Luxembourg and Morgan Stanley & Co. International (Morgan Stanley) of the
US. Ramius is an investment company. Morgan Stanley is a global financial
services company. PDT produces sealing membranes and profile seals. The
operation was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.
[06] Statement by European Commission President, José Manuel Durão
Barroso, on the outcome of the Geneva world trade talks
The failure to reach an agreement in Geneva is a profound disappointment
for the EU, for the Commission, and for me. I want to pay tribute to all
those who have worked long and hard for success – on the Commission side,
in particular Peter Mandelson and Mariann Fischer Boel. We worked for a
fair and balanced deal that would have created a win-win situation for all
sides. Such a deal would have given the world economy a much welcome boost.
We did absolutely everything we could to reconcile the different views and
find compromise. The present failure does not remove the case for progress,
most obviously for the benefit of developing countries. I will recommend to
the EU Member States to assess this outcome and to prepare for reengagement
with our major partners at the appropriate time.
(for more information: A. Altafaj – Tel. 295 2658 – Fax. 298 4172)
[07] Autre matériel diffusé
A disposition au secrétariat de Jonathan Todd (BERL 03/315):
Une notification préalable d'opération de concentration :
- DUFERCO / MITSUI / NIPPON DENKO / SAJV
From EUROPA, the European Commission Server at http://europa.eu.int/
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