
UMBA Participated in the Copenhagen Regional Meeting
On January 30-31, Nerses Karamanukyan, Vice President of the Union of Manufacturers and Businessmen of Armenia (UMBA), participated in the Regional Meeting initiated by the Confederation of Danish Industries in Copenhagen. Delegations from the Federation of Employers of Ukraine, the National Confederation of Employers of Moldova, and the Business Association of Georgia were also invited to the event.
During a meeting with Thomas Bustrup, Deputy Director General of the Confederation of Danish Industries (DI), participants were introduced to the organization’s activities. Bustrup also presented the challenges faced by Danish industries due to recent geopolitical developments.
In another meeting with Christian Misberg-Winberg, Director of European and International Relations at the Danish Employers’ Association, discussions focused on various programs implemented within the framework of the EU’s economic policies and the role expected from businesses in these initiatives. It was noted that Denmark will assume the presidency of the European Union on July 1, 2025. At this stage, the Confederation of Danish Industries, along with other business organizations and the government, is preparing and refining its priorities for the presidency period.
According to Nerses Karamanukyan, discussions during the regional meeting also covered the EU Green Deal, EU accession strategies, and cooperation proposals. Programs designed for 2025 were reviewed, aimed at expanding cross-border cooperation while considering climate challenges, promoting economic sustainable growth, achieving common innovation goals, and implementing joint and individual initiatives. The challenges and opportunities of the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) were also discussed, with a focus on its potential impact.
As a result of the meetings, the four participating organizations of the regional gathering signed a joint statement on the impact of the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) on the private sector. The statement emphasizes that the EU’s Green Deal, intended to pave the way for a carbon-neutral future, and introduces new regulations and stricter requirements for companies that seek to export goods and services to the EU single market. To comply, businesses must monitor and calculate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions data and reduce their environmental impact.
Business organizations have expressed concern that national governments are not fully informed about the effects this legislation will have on business sectors. CBAM is already operating in a pilot phase, and once fully implemented in 2026, a carbon price will be imposed on carbon-intensive imports such as cement, aluminum, fertilizers, iron and steel, hydrogen, and electricity entering the EU. This will impact not only CBAM-related manufacturers but also labor markets in third countries.
The statement calls on governments to engage in active dialogue with the EU to better understand and mitigate the impact on industries. Capacity-building programs and financial support are expected to help regional industries comply with CBAM requirements. Additionally, the EU is urged to consider transitional periods, exemptions, or financial assistance for affected manufacturers in third countries to prevent trade disruptions and economic losses.
The Confederation of Danish Industries will submit the joint statement to the European Commission.
During the two-day event, representatives of participating organizations also explored potential areas for cooperation, resulting in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding.