Consultant, Miguel Mesquita da Cunha
Member of the Policy & Economics Council
Miguel Mesquita da Cunha is a Consultant in Belgium who specializes in EU policy and regulatory trends that affect business. Previously, Dr. Mesquita da Cunha worked in the Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) under Lord Carrington, before becoming a member of the 'Group of Policy Advisors' to two successive EC Presidents. He has considerable knowledge of EU policy-making circles and their decision-making process, having served as a senior official in the European Commission Secretariat General. Dr. Mesquita da Cunha frequently lectures and consults on a wide array of European industries, including utilities, energy and climate change, and the reforms underway in the EU financial, gaming and healthcare sectors. As a former diplomat, he is abreast of political developments and maintains close contacts with associates throughout the world. He is also knowledgeable on the habits and mechanisms of the various EU Institutions and closely follows the processes that have an impact on mergers and antitrust/competition reviews. (This is me - Update Profile)
Microsoft v. European Commission: a victory for innovation & for the consummer
September 20, 2007
Microsoft's Big European Defeat: What Now? | www.businessweek.com
By restricting Microsoft's ability to bundle unrelated features (such as media players, server software) to Windows, the EU ruling will bolster competition & innovation in the software industry. The judgement further asserts that companies may not unfairly prevent rival products from functioning properly with their offerings. More generaly, the ruling confirms the EC legal power to pursue abuses of market dominance.
Wrong, dear FT: Investors should beware of Royal
February 26, 2007
Why business need not worry too much about Royal | www.ft.com
French business and equities would take a plunge if Ms. Royal were elected President in April next.
Ms. Royal’s personal economic views are statist & interventionist; if elected she would have to govern with an alliance of unreconstructed Socialists and Communists.
Far from reforming products, services and labor markets, a Royal administration would most probably impose extra burdens on companies and entrepreneurship.
Car fumes: do not panic (yet…)
February 6, 2007
Car industry facing 18% CO2 cut | news.bbc.co.uk
The European Commission plans to propose measures to bring emissions of greenhouse gases from the average new car down to 120g of CO2 per kilometer by 2012 - 25% below the 2005 level of 162g/km.
Final provisions will depend on a host of complex negotiations, but the overall trend is clear: the competitive advantage for car manufacturers to offer more efficient engines is likely to become ever more pronounced in the years ahead.
Total nuclear plans: a long-term solution to the Suez connundrum?
February 5, 2007
Total says it is certain to enter nuclear sector | www.ft.com
Total’s incoming CEO has declared his company’s intention to enter the nuclear electricity business. Given France’s wealth of nuclear expertise, Total seems better positioned than many other oil companies to acquire this new competence.
Yet, Total may be tempted to buy, as opposed to build up internally, the array of skills required; though this may seem a long shot, an eventual purchase of Suez, [whose subsidiary Tractebel has been in the nuclear industry for over 30 years and produces 5800 MWe in four nuclear plants] would with one stroke bring Total the required know-how.
February 2, 2007
Stricter fuel standards to combat climate change and reduce air pollution | europa.eu
In the context of the new EU overall energy and environmental strategy, the European Commission proposed on 31 January a revision to the 1998 fuel quality directive that will have far-reaching implications for the oil industry. Oil industry representatives are up in arms, claiming that the proposed changes are too onerous and that the car industry should shoulder more of the effort. These proposals will now be discussed by member states and the European Parliament, with a view to adopting legally binding decisions by the end of the year.
One can expect vigorous lobbying from both sides in the months ahead. On current form however, the car industry tends to carry more political influence than the oil business. The gist of the Commission proposals is thus likely to be enacted.
| Study Group Name | No. Members |
|---|---|
| Steel Experts | 499 |
| Ethanol Experts | 219 |
| Political Experts (EU) | 218 |
| Rating Agency Experts | 144 |
| Wind Power Experts (EU) | 100 |
Miguel Mesquita da Cunha has not participated in any GLG Live Meetings.
View all GLG Live Meetings in Legal, Economic & Regulatory Affairs