BUSINESS

The European Union (EU) represents the largest economy in the world, with a total GDP over $16.7 trillion in 2009. Although the EU consists of 27 member states, the EU has effectively eliminated many barriers to the movement of goods, services and people among EU member states and operates as a unified actor and cohesive trading bloc in the World Trade Organization (WTO). In effect, access to the EU’s market of more than 500 million consumers represents an extraordinary business opportunity.

The transatlantic economy remains the foundation of the global economy, with $3.75 trillion in total commercial sales in 2009 and 14 million employees involved with firms engaging in transatlantic exchange. Indeed, from 2000 to mid-2008, US firms invested $26.4 billion in China, which was less than US investment in Belgium and less than half of US investment in Ireland.

Colorado, in particular, continues to attract European attention: In 2009 Colorado and the European Union engaged in more than $2.55 billion in trade with Colorado exporting nearly $1 billion in goods to the EU. From 2009 to 2010, Colorado saw more than a 38% increase in exports to the European Union as well.

As part of CEUCE’s core mission of creating and fostering EU-US linkages, active collaboration with the Boulder-Denver business community serves mutual interests. CEUCE views its business activities on three levels. First, CEUCE works to facilitate new economic linkages between Colorado and the EU, for example, with the Polish Trade Mission in October of 2009. Secondly, CEUCE organizes informative seminars, lectures and conferences in order to better inform business leaders about opportunities and trends in the EU. Third, CEUCE nurtures Colorado’s increasingly international marketplace by deepening the network of international business interests.

Below, please find examples of CEUCE’s interaction with the greater business community. If you are a business professional that would benefit from networking with internationally-minded local business people, please contact the CEUCE at ceuce@colorado.edu

For upcoming activities, view our Calendar of Events.

Silesia, Poland-Colorado Trade Mission
October 2009
Denver, Colorado Springs, Boulder and broader Front Range of Colorado

EU-US Legal Practices Seminar
"Nationalism, Constitutionalism and the Future of the European Union" by Former Member of the European Court of Justice, Judge David Edward
October 2009
School of Law, University of Colorado, Boulder

EU Business Practices Seminar
“European Business Opportunities in Colorado”
August 2009
Boulder Chamber, Boulder, CO

EU Business and Policy Practices Seminar
“Global Turmoil: The Transatlantic Dimension,” Member of the European Parliament, Mr. John Purvis
March 2009
University of Colorado at Boulder

Business Outreach Conference
“Colorado and the Transatlantic Economy”
January 2009
University of Colorado at Denver

International Speaker Series Event
“The Politics of Global Regulation: The Real Challenge of Fixing the Global Financial System,” by Dr. Walter Mattli
March 2009
University of Colorado at Boulder

Learn more about our business activities