38. Notes the Commission’s call for the use of private equity or venture capital, as regulated by the Alternative Investment Fund Managers (AIFM) Directive and the Regulation on European venture capital funds, as an alternative source of finance, in particular vis-à-vis companies in the start-up and growth phases; notes that there is currently a strong tax bias favouring debt financing; believes that venture capital and private equity firms can provide valuable non-financial support, including consultancy services, financial advice, advice on marketing strategy, and training; calls on the Commission further to assess the role of such ...[+++]firms in financing the EU economy; calls on the Commission to work on eliminating all bias against equity in the various national economies, the European economy and the global economy;

38. Notes the Commission’s call for the use of private equity or venture capital, as regulated by the Alternative Investment Fund Managers (AIFM) Directive and the Regulation on European venture capital funds, as an alternative source of finance, in particular vis-à-vis companies in the start-up and growth phases; notes that there is currently a strong tax bias favouring debt financing; believes that venture capital and private equity firms can provide valuable non-financial support, including consultancy services, financial advice, advice on marketing strategy, and training; calls on the Commission further to assess the role of such ...[+++]firms in financing the EU economy; calls on the Commission to work on eliminating all bias against equity in the various national economies, the European economy and the global economy;

L. whereas Morocco is the greatest beneficiary of EU funds among the countries of the Southern Mediterranean; whereas the King of Morocco, Mohammed VI, owns a majority share in the Société Nationale d’Investissement (SNI, or National Investment Company), Morocco’s largest private holding company; whereas over 50 % of the companies listed on the Casablanca stock market are linked to the Moroccan royal family; whereas in 2012 Morocco’s public debt reached 71 % of its GDP; whereas between 1983 and 2011 Morocco paid over USD 115 billion in foreign debt, equal to eight times its initial debt, and still has to pay USD 23 billion; whereas ...[+++]Morocco is illegally occupying Western Sahara;

32. Is concerned that some European companies invest in China mainly because of the low cost of production caused by lower social, environmental and human rights standards; strongly recommends that the Commission and the Member States promote effective corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices by European companies in China, and encourage the dissemination and publicity of best practices of CSR initiatives; furthermore, requests that the Commission assesses how CSR provisions could be included in the future EU-China investment agreement;

18. For the purposes of Articles 78 to 83, the Inter-American Investment Corporation, the Black Sea Trade and Development Bank and the Central American Bank for Economic Integration are considered to be Multilateral Development Banks (MDB).

Shouldn't the American states tell Canada that, as it has assumed leadership for the signing of an inter-American free trade treaty, it should therefore start by showing its interest in inter-American society by signing the Convention?