Dear industry colleagues and fellow Association members,

In our last newsletter I couldn't avoid addressing the theme of Covid 19, pointing out how our Association, even in a moment of great apprehension, had structured itself to assist, as far as practicable and in the best way possible, our companies and the many colleagues who represent the vital force of our Association.

I am referring in particular to the more than 150 experts who continuously attend and feed our Committees and Working Groups with their competent support.

Unfortunately, the pandemic is not slowing down and after an initial downturn, coinciding with the summer period, the pandemic seems to be coming back strongly to upset our consciences and undermine the health of the citizens everywhere in the world.

The economy itself is clearly affected and the countermeasures that each Member State is called upon to take, in the context of a Europe that is under increasing pressure, are becoming increasingly complex.

The coronavirus pandemic represents a very large shock for the global and EU economies, with very severe economic and social consequences.

After the deepest recession in the EU history, in the first half of this year and a very strong upswing in the summer, Europe's rebound has been interrupted due to the resurgence in COVID-19 cases. Growth is expected to be back in 2021, but this will mean two years until the European economy will be back too regaining its pre-pandemic level.

The EU Commission is indicating that output will not return to pre-pandemic levels before 2022 and we are called the extra attention on our activities to “survive” the moment of emergence.

To try and keep, as much as possible, a normal stand against this difficult moment affecting all our lives, I urge to focus your attention in this newsletter to all the activities carried out by your European Lift Association, ignoring for a moment the obvious repercussions of the pandemic on the health and well-being of all of us, which keep being endangered by a rather subtle enemy.

I hope you will enjoy reading this Newsletter with a note that the EC next forecast will be presented in February 2021 (Winter 2021 Economic Forecast) almost close to our next ELA General Assembly, when we will report on the most recent economic data.

As we head into the holiday season, I would like to personally thank all of you for your hard work and commitment during this difficult year. I wish you and your families a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year in 2021.