Monday, 22 February 2010

The Countries of Europe




If like thousands of businesses throughout Europe you are looking to bid for tenders, it can at times be useful to look outwith your normal geographical boundaries for potential business opportunities. It could be that your business type is suited to exploiting many of the tenders that are available abroad.

Within the European Union (EU) there are no fewer than 27 member states with a combined population of almost 500 million people, generating 30% of the gross worlds product.

Established by the 1993 Maastricht Treaty, the EU was built upon the foundations of the European Community.

Here is a list of EU Member states at present, together with their time of joining and whether they have adopted the Euro currency.

  1. Austria - Member since 1995 (Euro currency)

  2. Belgium - Pre-existing member (Euro Currency)

  3. Bulgaria - Member since 2007

  4. Cyprus (Greek) - Member since 2004 (Euro currency)

  5. Czech Republic - Member since 2004

  6. Denmark - Pre-existing member

  7. Estonia - Member since 2004

  8. Finland - Member since 1995 (Euro currency)

  9. France - Pre-existing member (Euro Currency)

  10. Germany -Pre-existing member (Euro Currency)

  11. Greece - Pre-existing member (Euro Currency)

  12. Hungary - Member since 2004

  13. Ireland - Pre-existing member (Euro Currency)

  14. Italy - Pre-existing member (Euro Currency)

  15. Latvia - Member since 2004

  16. Lithuania - Member since 2004

  17. Luxembourg - Pre-existing member (Euro Currency)

  18. Malta - Member since 2004 (Euro currency)

  19. Netherlands - Pre-existing member (Euro Currency)

  20. Poland - Member since 2004

  21. Portugal - Pre-existing member (Euro Currency)

  22. Romania - Member since 2007

  23. Slovakia - Member since 2004 (Euro currency)

  24. Slovenia - Member since 2004 (Euro currency)

  25. Spain - Pre-existing member (Euro Currency)

  26. Sweden - Member since 1995

  27. United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland - Pre-existing member

In addition to these existing member countries, there are a number of eastern states who wish to join the union, including Ukraine and Turkey.

Have you recently done business outwith your home country in the European Union? Tell us of your experiences.............
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OJEU Thresholds 2010

The latest OJEU thresholds came into effect on January 1st this year. These are the levels at which contracts must be published in the OJEU, and are updated every two years.

Here are the levels for 2010 to 2012 - see the bottom of this post for more information sources on this topic, including WTO and EU legislation on how these thresholds are calculated.

Public contracts from January 2010



SUPPLIES SERVICES WORKS
Schedule 1 entires£101,323
(€125,000)		£101,3232
(€125,000)		£3,927,260
(€4,845,000)
Other public sector contracting authorities£156,442
(€193,000)		£156,442
(€193,000)		£3,927,260
(€4,845,000)
Indicative Notices£607,935
(€750,000)		£607,935
(€750,000)		£3,927,260
(€4,845,000)
Small lots£64,846
(€80,000)		£64,846
(€80,000)		£810,580
(€1,000,000)

Utilities contract thresholds from January 2010


SUPPLIES SERVICES WORKS
All sectors£313,694
(€387,000)		£313,694
(€387,000)		£3,927,260
(€4,845,000)
Indicative Notices£607,935
(€750,000)		£607,935
(€750,000)		£3,927,260
(€4,845,000)
Small lots£64,846
(€80,000)		£64,846
(€80,000)		£810,580
(€1,000,000)

There are exceptions to these thresholds, each of the following have a threshold of £156,442 (€193,000).


  • Part B (residual) services

  • Research & Development Services

  • Television and Radio Broadcast services

  • Interconnection services

  • Integrated telecommunications services

OJEU thresholds information sources:

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