Studies on the international competitiveness position of the Member States and their attractiveness as a location for foreign direct investment suggest that the international competitiveness of the EU is weakening (for the Member States’ competitiveness performance see also MEMO/10/533)

The factors that drive growth include strong economic growth of the companies that use consulting services; the pattern of economic growth, such as increased focus on international competitiveness and the increase in mergers and acquisitions, both of which are prime areas for management consulting involvement; the focus on improving effectiveness and efficiency in the huge health care sector; the growing shortage of highly qualified personnel, brought on by both economic growth and aging demographics; the Canadian-U.S. dollar exchange rate, prompting the drive for companies, especially manufacturers, to achieve greater efficiencies a ...[+++]nd competitiveness; and increased interest in and investment by governments at all levels in infrastructure projects.

...lations every time it is appropriate; the need to respect differences in national markets where these do not unduly impinge on the cohesion of the single market; and the need to ensure coherence with other Community legislation in this area, as imbalances in information and a lack of transparency may jeopardise the operation of the markets and above all harm consumers and small investors. ...

—the need to foster the international competitiveness of Community financial markets without prejudice to a much-needed extension of international cooperation.

—the need to foster the international competitiveness of the Community's financial markets without prejudice to a much-needed extension of international cooperation,

- the need to foster the international competitiveness of the Community's financial markets without prejudice to a much-needed extension of international cooperation,