Two years ago, the European Union launched its "Global Gateway" initiative to open the door to the world and investment in developing countries and emerging markets. And this month, it launched the first Global Gateway Forum as a means of taking stock of developments with partners, providing motivation, and strengthening cooperation and exchange of ideas for new projects.
"Global Gateway is about giving countries a choice, and a better choice," said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at the opening of the Forum on October 25 in Brussels, implying that the EU scheme was fairer and less bureaucratic than China's. "Because for many countries around the world, investment options are not only limited, but they all come with a lot of small print, and a very high price.
Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina signed an agreement to develop renewable energies in her country with EU funding, while Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha secured commitments for the green transformation of Vietnam's energy industry. German mechanical engineering companies, which dominate the European market, have welcomed the Global Gateway scheme and generally want to participate. Ulrich Ackermann from the VDMA, the largest network organization for the machinery and equipment manufacturing industry in Germany and Europe, said that it was important that projects be implemented rapidly.