The European Commission has created the Global Gateway, a new European strategy to promote smart, clean and secure links in the digital, energy and transport sectors. Here we explain the key points of this strategy which has an investment of 300 billion euros.
The “Global Gateway” project is part of the European model of connectivity between partner countries within the European Union to create new sustainable and quality infrastructures. The close link between transport and the digital sector and investments for ecological transformation, other key areas for carrying out this strategy, make the “Global Gateway” a highly relevant initiative for our sector.
The European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus (FEDS+), the financial arm of NDICI-Global Europe, will make available up to 135 billion euros between 2021 and 2027 for guaranteed investments for infrastructure projects. Up to €18 billion will be offered in the form of grants from the EU budget. European financing and development financial institutions have up to €145 billion in planned investment volumes. (Source: European Union)
“We will support smart investments in quality infrastructure, in compliance with the highest social and environmental standards, and in line with EU values and standards. The Global Gateway strategy is a model of how Europe can build more resilient connections with the rest of the world.”
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission
According to the European Union, Global Gateway will promote investments in infrastructure throughout the world that create sustainable, smart, resilient, inclusive and safe transport networks in all modes of transport, including railways, roads, ports, airports, as well as logistics and border crossing points, in a multimodal system.” (Source: Questions and Answers on Global Gateway, European Union)
Why is a project like Global Gateway important?
The COVID-19 pandemic, the challenges of climate change and increased mobility require investments in new infrastructure. The World Bank estimates that the world should invest 1.3 trillion euros a year to create infrastructure to meet sustainability and connectivity goals. With that in mind, China has already advanced with the “Belt and Road” initiative, also known as the “New Silk Road”, and the United States, for its part, launched “Build Back Better World” aimed mainly at improving infrastructure in low- and middle-income countries. Therefore, Global Gateway also responds to the need for Europe to continue to play an important role in the global logistics race displaying leadership in sustainability.
Beyond European Borders
The investments not only go to European Union member countries but also to neighbouring regions with which the European Union maintains close ties. For this purpose, an investment package has been approved, especially for North Africa. Integrating the intermodal transport networks of Europe and Africa and the creation of strategic corridors between the two continents are the main objectives to improve connectivity with neighbouring countries such as Morocco and Tunisia.
The launch of the Global Gateway shows that the logistics sector is inseparable from the digitization process, ecological transformation, together with universal and fair access to goods and services.
