European Champions and Competitiveness: Spirits as a Made in Europe Success Story

Spirit of Life Week 2026 #SpiritofLifeWeek Panel discussion in Brussels as part of the Spirit of Life Week Thursday 10 September European Champions and Competitiveness: Spirits as a Made in Europe Success Story This session explored how the EU could pursue industrial renewal while reinforcing its existing competitive strengths. Using the spirits sector as a case study, speakers discussed how globally competitive export sectors support jobs, exports, economic resilience and territorial cohesion across the EU, and what they need to thrive. Keynote Speaker: Valentino Valentini - Deputy Minister of Enterprises and Made in Italy, Government of Italy Moderator: Andy Bounds - EU Correspondent, Financial Times Speakers • MEP Brando Benifei - Member of the European Parliament Conference of Delegation Chairs and INTA Committee, and Substitute Member of IMCO Committee • Gilles Bogaert - Executive Vice-President Global Markets, Pernod Ricard • Dirk Jacobs - Director General at FoodDrinkEurope • Ambassador Marco Canaparo - Deputy Permanent Representative, Permanent Representation of Italy to the European Union