In 2014, the UK's official gross payments to the EU amounted to £ 19.1 billion but the UK receives an automatic rebate of £ 4.4 billion. This means £ 14.7 billion was transferred from the UK to the EU in official payments.

The UK public sector also receives from the EU

1. £ 1.1 billion (European Regional Development Fund)
2. £ 2.3 billion (European Agricultural Guarantee Fund)

This gives a nert contribution of £ 9.9 billion.

Number of Franchising Systems in Europe (2014 Est.)

1. Turkey: 1840
2. France: 1796
3. Spain: 1199
4. Germany: 990
5. Italy: 939
6. Poland: 930
7. United Kingdom: 930
8. Netherlands: 769
9. Sweden: 700
10. Portugal: 578
11. Greece: 456
12. Austria: 445
13. Hungary: 361
14. Belgium: 350
15. Finland: 294
16. Switzerland: 275
17. Czech Rep: 219
18. Denmark: 188
19. Croatia: 180
20. Slovenia: 109
21. Slovakia: 80

Total: 13627

Saint Petersburg, 16 June 2016

I would like to thank the Forum for its invitation, and to thank also all the people you never see who have organised this event. This year marks your 20th anniversary, and I offer you my congratulations and best wishes for the future.

Over the last two decades, this Forum has become a meeting point for business and politics. This year is no different. You have brought together more than 800 politicians and business leaders from every corner of the globe.

First, I would like to say a few words about why I am here today.

Potential Consequences of the UK votes to leave the EU on 23 June.

As of 14 June 2016: Leave 53% Stay: 47%

President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker will take part on 16 June 2016 in the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. Mr. Juncker will use this opportunity to convey to the Russian leadership, as well as the wider audience, the EU's perspective regarding the current state of the EU-Russian relations.

AIM is the European Brands Association. It represents brand manufacturers in Europe on key issues which affect their ability to design, distribute and market their brands. AIM’s membership groups some 1800 companies of all sizes through corporate members and national associations in 21 countries. EU consumers spent 640 billion Euro on food, drink, home and personal care brands alone in 2012.

EBS is an Initiative of: Fédération des Entreprises de Belgique (FEB) and Business Europe

Strategic Partner : Accenture Strategy

Main Partner : Huawei

Knowledge Partners

1. College of Europe
2. Hill + Knowlton Strategies

Summit Partners

The CETA (Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement) will effectively give EU businesses a new market into which they can tap. The idea is to address current issues that EU goods and services face when doing business in Canada, simplifying the process for EU firms at Canada’s federal and provincial level. The deal could save EU exporters around €470 million a year for industrial goods and €42 million a year for agricultural products.

Author: Carme Colomina Associate researcher, CIDOB (Barcelona Centre for International Affairs); Professor of International Journalism

The EU’s leadership is ignoring the voices calling for lifting sanctions against Russia, while concern is growing among regional European politicians about the real efficiency and the economic toll of the sanctions.