On November 13, 2014, the EMN National Contact Point in Spain organized a conference in Madrid entitled Migration as a Key Element of Competitiveness. It was attended by two representatives of EMN NCP in the Slovak Republic.
The conference focused on business related economic migration and links between migration and competitiveness in the economy. The program of the conference was divided into three panels: international mobility as a driving force for change and economic dynamism; migration related to international trade; and attracting investors and entrepreneurs. Among speakers were representatives of ministries, members of EMN NCPs (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal and United Kingdom), representatives of business associations as well as representatives of the European Commission and the EMN service provider ICF International.
The first panel on international mobility as a driving force for change and economic dynamism aimed at answering questions: how migration and mobility policies can contribute to economic growth; what challenges and barriers currently exist in the EU; and what elements should be taken into account during formation of an immigration policy targeting the arrival of investment and talent. Apart from adoption of specific policies to encourage entrepreneurship, the panel stressed the importance of facilitating admission and entry of third country nationals for business purposes through e.g. a fast-track procedure, exemptions from general immigration requirements and labour market tests, information campaigns etc.
The second panel devoted to the topic of migration related to trade raised the following questions: how should the links between commercial exchanges and the mobility of persons be addressed; what the national perspectives on the need of mobility in large corporations are; what should the position of Europe in the competition for talent be; and which challenges should be addressed. At the national level, France introduced multiannual residence permit (maximum four years), Spain adopted new visa and residence permits types adapted to its specific needs and the Netherlands in its new scheme for innovative start-ups in 2015 includes a simplified admission programme or a one year residence permit to work on a business plan.
The third panel concentrated on attracting investors and entrepreneurs discussed the types of programmes adopted in Member States as well as challenges in facilitating attraction of investment and entrepreneurship. Portugal, Spain and United Kingdom adjusted their rules to market needs while requiring a minimum investment, creation of a minimum number of jobs or an acquisition of real estate with a minimum fixed value. The time period in these Member States for visa decisions is 10 days and 20 days for residence permits. These measures resulted in increased number of issued visas and residence permits for business purposes followed by an improvement in job creation.