The European Boating Industry and ICOMIA have renewed a collaboration agreement to promote the recreational boating industry in Europe. “This partnership aims to bring the interests of the leisure marine industry to the attention of the EU institutions and stakeholders with the aim to advocate for the common interests of the leisure marine industry,” the two companies said in a statement.
The European Boating Industry represents the European marine industry. It encompasses all sectors, including boatbuilding, equipment manufacturing, marinas and service providers. EBI referred to itself as “an established stakeholder” at the European Union, adding that it “defends and promotes” the interests of members on key issues from Single Market legislation to blue growth, tourism and trade policy.
“At a crucial time in discussions on issues ranging from environmental policy to trade and industry policy in the EU, we look forward to working with our colleagues at ICOMIA at an international level to unite on key issues for our sector and provide input to policy-makers and stakeholders,” said Philip Easthill, secretary general of EBI, in the statement.
ICOMIA said it is also is a longstanding stakeholder in “relevant working groups” of the EU Commission. It employs technical and environmental specialists in EU-related work. Its mission is to act as the voice of the global recreational marine industry to facilitate, influence, inform and research.
“Europe is a large and important market at approximately 30 percent of our industry,” said Udo Kleinitz, secretary general of ICOMIA, in the statement. “So naturally, there is great relevance for both organizations in understanding and shaping the developments that affect the marine leisure sector.”
Kleinitz said that the two groups have overlapping memberships in the national trade associations. “Our members wish us to cooperate rather than duplicate work, so I am very positive about the renewal of the agreement,” he said.
ICOMIA will provide technical support and communication with EBI and ICOMIA members. It will also assist EBI with advice and expertise in any statistical work or studies that it wishes to commission. For its part, EBI will continue as the voice of the recreational boating industry in Europe, providing input to policy discussions impacting the sector.
