Improved consideration of private sector positions in the EUSDR

The EUSDR only can achieve its ambitious goals if it succeeds in involving private business in the definition and implementation of all its priorities and actions. In order to ensure such substantial participation, Pro Danube International considers that EU programs must allow AND actively stimulate private sector participation. Dedicated and well elaborated interfaces for private sector investment have to be created and cross-program project opportunities are needed; there is a strong demand for higher flexibility in programming and implementation and clear procedures on how to deal with state-aid regulations. Thus:

  • Public investment financed by EU programs must be better aligned with private investment, which requires:
  • An overall joint strategy for development projects (many of them even cross-border);
  • Improved/new instruments for public-private co-operation;
  • Co-ordinated project planning and project execution/strong & professional project management ;
  • Improved/new instruments for public-private co-operation;

Alignment of public and private investment will increase leverage of public spending and will stimulate economic growth in the region;

  • Private sector participation must be well organized and managed:
  • Danube service operators often have limited human resources for development projects;
  • Participation in EU programs necessitates considerable expertise, has a high level of bureaucracy (long procedures, high administrative efforts) as well as a high risk of failure;

Pro Danube International possesses the necessary know-how and expertise to represent the interests of the private sector and support them with policy facilitation and the initiation and implementation of multi-stakeholder projects of interest to the Danube shipping and logistics industry with EUSDR and EU funding schemes.