EBI and ICOMIA sign partnership agreement
The European Boating Industry (EBI) and the International Council of Marine Industry Associations (ICOMIA) announced on January 19, 2021 the signature of a partnership agreement. The 2 structures will work together to defend the sector and will share their information more widely, through the pooling of data such as the annual ICOMIA statistical collection or the regular sending of cross newsletters between the associations.
"We've always worked together. Now we're going to do it on the same level, with more contacts. The aim is to make sure we do things the right way. That definitely closes the chapter in the competition. We have different activities and different ways of working. There is an interest in being a member of both associations," says Philip Easthill, EBI secretary general.
A policy of joint defence of the interests of the nautical sector at European and international level
As in the past, the two associations will sign joint forums and communiqués. Without indicating specific elements, the Secretary General of EBI, gives an outline of the main topics on which the association will coordinate with ICOMIA for more effective and relevant lobbying. "We have sent a joint letter to US President-elect Joe Biden on the issues of tariffs and the US-EU trade war. Environmental issues are also major. They are dealt with at the European level for small vessels, but at the international level with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) for larger vessels. It is important that regulations are consistent. There are also all the issues of the future, such as new technologies and new materials. It is also necessary to share experiences, as in the case of nautical tourism with the United States", Philip Easthill lists.
