Preamble
Aware of the need for a strong coordinated body for Egyptian Pan-EU cooperation at the non-governmental level;
Considering the existence of a number of strong bilateral Egypt EU chambers and business associations;
Responding to the need for a unified vehicle to coordinate the cooperation between such associations as well as with EU based institutions and associations, and to provide chamber services for EU member states that do not have a bilateral chamber;
Respecting the complete autonomy and independence of Egypt EU-member states relations and associations;
Accordingly, the British, French, German, and Italian Egyptian Bilateral Business Associations have agreed to be the founding members of "The Confederation of Egypt EU Business Associations CEEBA" as follows:
Objectives
- Coordinating between Egypt-EU Bilateral associations, hence intensifying the cooperationat the Pan-European Front;
- Availing a Forum for Egyptian Pan-European Dialogue;
- Creating a collective and unified Egyptian Pan-European Advocacy front;
- Establishing a Powerful network of Egyptian Pan-European business Associations;
- Promoting Egyptian Pan-European Trade, Investment & Technology Transfer;
- Supporting the Association agreement and Euro-Mediterranean FTA;
- Acting as a bilateral chamber for EU member states that don't have a bilateral chamber for pan European programs as well as offer chamber services when and where feasible;
- Supporting, Coordinating, outreaching and implementing EU and member states Economic Programs;
- Implementing of Egyptian Pan European Projects.
Provisional Activities
- Sustain a high level Egyptian Pan-European Business Dialogue;
- Conduct advocacy activities Egyptian Pan-European issues;
- Implement Pan European workshops, seminars and round tables;
- Support and outreach Pan-European programs and projects that will be implemented by the bilateral associations;
- Support and advise visiting EU delegations, as well as business missions from EU member states that have no bilateral chambers;
- Source and disseminate information and produce relevant publications and position papers;
- Support the establishment of new bilateral Egypt-EU chambers and conduct chamber services for EU member states until their chambers are established.
Membership
- The founding members shall nominate their representatives in CEEBA.
- Besides the four founding members, each EU member state shall be represented by one member representing its bilateral chamber, business association, or business council. In case of the absence of such entities, the Ambassador of that member state shall recommend 3 senior business members conducting business in Egypt for CEEBA executive board to select from.
- CEEBA shall not be a membership organization and shall not accept individual members. However, in coordination with its member organizations, it can form task forces, committees, ..etc., for specific topics and activities that could include members from such member organizations as well as from relevant EU based organizations.
Funding
- CEEBA shall not accept any membership fees from its members.
- Until CEEBA could finance having its own premises, its secretariat shall be hosted by one of its founding members
- Any activities conducted shall either be supported in kind by the members when feasible and eligible or shall be funded through sponsors and/or grants and/or projects under EU and/or other donor programs as accepted by the executive board.
- For all is activities, CEEBA shall subcontract its member organizations.
Structure
- An Advisory Council inclusive all its members shall convene on quarterly basis. It shall be the supreme advisory body. The chairmanship of the council shall rotate every six months following the present EU presidency .
- An Executive Board formed of 7 members and the secretary general shall manage CEEBA and shall meet on monthly basis or more often if required. The board shall be formed of the four founding members (president or his nominee) plus three members from the advisory council (one from the EU27 "other than the founders", and two from the 10 new accession countries, both changing every 6 months following the EU presidency sequence from its start). Chairmanship of the executive board shall rotate between the four founding members every year following the EU presidency sequence. Senior executives and boards of the four founding members may attend meetings as non-voting members to utilize their expertise and maximize the utilization of their resources.
- Implementation of the executive board resolutions shall be conducted by the secretary general who shall work closely with the institutions of the executive board and the council.
- He/She shall be selected by the executive board.
For and on Behalf of the Egypt EU founding bilateral chambers