MEPs fight back against protectionism in developed and developing world in a bid to access lucrative state procurement contracts.

Protectionism casts a dark shadow

It’s hard to miss daily reminders  of the globalised market place we live in

with the goods and services we use  coming from the four corners of the world.

But the playing field isn't quite so level  as it may appear

or as many here in Europe would wish for.

Particularly when it comes to multi-billion  euro state procurement contracts.

It is still very difficult  for European companies

to get public contracts in countries like  China, Brazil and India,

According to the EP, European companies  could be losing billions of euros

urban and national  infrastructure projects is blocked.

But the MEP steering new legislation  to redress that through the EP

says that although Europe’s markets  are open, there’s plenty of room for more.

We in Europe have urgent homework to do  and should open our markets,

but on the other hand this report  and this regulation should be a signal to say

'don’t close your markets, keep them open,  so together we can create more prosperity'.

But we’re still in the belly  of an economic recession

and not everyone agrees with flinging open  the doors of Europe’s markets to outsiders.

We must keep public procurement as a tool  at the service of our economic development,

at the service of a certain number of sectors  which need restructuring,

at the service of emerging sectors needing  protection, of small and medium enterprises

which create more jobs  than large industrial groups today.

The proposals call for more leverage  for Europe on market access

for powers to investigate and follow up  restrictive practices in a relevant country,

and to block market access in Europe to  companies from that country if necessary.

The proposal passed  the first committee stage comfortably

and will go to plenary  for a first reading.