Global Business and Economics Program Director Andrea Montanino writes for EUobserver on the good, the bad, and the ugly of the European Union’s new investment plan:
With modest economic growth, zero inflation, and declining public and private investments, European leaders are desperately trying to find ways to grow.
They will meet on December 18 and 19 to discuss and, hopefully, deliver on the so-called Juncker Plan, a project to mobilise around 315 billion euros (400 billion dollars) in new investments over the course of the next three years.
This will then create a specialised fund called the European Fund for Strategic Investments within the European Investment Bank (EIB).
This is part of a three pronged strategy: easing credit conditions and inflating prices through the European Central Bank, national structural reforms to be delivered by national governments, and stimulus to internal demand through additional investment.