FACE took part in the digital debate “The EU response to COVID-19: The new instruments to support the economic recovery”

FACE Secretary-General Mario Conserva participated in the Digital Debate “The EU response to COVID-19. The new instruments to support the economic recovery” organized by Hdrà in collaboration with the European Parliament Office in Italy.

During the event, a group of MEPs representing the main groups of the European Parliament discussed with relevant stakeholders on the EU role and the tools to deal with economic and social crisis.

Suspend duties on unwrought aluminium import and support the manufacturing companies that produce in full compliance with the EU climate objectives and the Green Deal. This is the appeal launched by the Federation of Aluminium Consumers in Europe (FACE) during the Digital Debate ‘The European response to Covid-19’ organized by the HDRA Group together with the office of the EU Parliament in Italy.

“It is necessary to intervene with immediate and extraordinary measures to support aluminium companies, eliminating all the existing obstacles that damage the market competitiveness. First of all, it is fundamental to suspending duties on unwrought aluminum”, said Mario Conserva, FACE Secretary General, highlighting that these duties – which vary from 3% to 6% – are “unreasonable because in Europe there is a great shortage of primary metal” and “harmful” because “they have a huge cost, estimated by the LUISS university at 1 billion per year for all the sector.”

According to Face’s estimates, the total aluminum consumption in Italy in 2020 should be 1.5 million tons, compared to the 2 million tons consumed in 2019, bringing the sector back ten years. (ANSA).

The main speakers were Fabio Massimo Castaldo, Vice President of the European Parliament, Antonio Tajani, President of AFCO Committee and President of the Conference of Committee Chairs, Andrea Cozzolino, Member of the Committee on Regional Development, Carlo Fidanza,  Member of the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection, Carlo Corazza, Head of the European Parliament Office in Italy, Lorenzo Salvia, Head of the Economics editorial staff, Corriere della Sera.