Illicit Trade In Europe:
New Security Dynamics, Emerging Risks and Why Policy Matters
Event recording
Event pictures
Speakers
Stefano Betti
Deputy Director General, TRACIT
Christos Harpantidis
Group Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, PMI
David Bird
Associate Director, KPMG
Colonel Donatas Škarnulis
Deputy Commander, State Border Guard Service, Lithuania
Illicit Trade in Europe:
New Security Dynamics, Emerging Risks and Why Policy Matters
Across Europe, illicit trade across multiple sectors of the economy is evolving within a rapidly shifting security and economic landscape. From the effects of COVID-19 and instability along the EU’s eastern borders to shifting criminal routes, expanding online marketplaces and fragmented supply chains, illicit markets are adapting quickly to new realities. At the same time, illicit trade is undermining Europe’s economic resilience by eroding public revenues, weakening legitimate businesses, and ultimately distorting Europe’s ability to boost its competitiveness and invest in innovation, security, and social priorities. Questions are also emerging around how different regulatory approaches combined with gaps in law enforcement can unintentionally create incentives for illicit activities to expand, with negative effects on internal security, consumer protection, and economic trust.
This event will bring together law enforcement representatives, think tank experts and researchers, and industry representatives from across Europe to examine the changing dynamics shaping illicit trade today. Drawing on perspectives from across the continent - including frontline experiences from the Baltic region - discussions will explore the intersection between geopolitics, public policy, organized crime and evolving consumer markets, as well as the broader security, economic and competitiveness implications across Europe.
The event will feature new analysis of illicit trade trends, alongside contributions from experts across law enforcement, research and industry stakeholders affected by the negative consequences of illicit trade. By bringing together diverse perspectives from diverse businesses, the discussion aims to encourage a more informed and evidence-based debate on how Europe can curb illicit trade in an increasingly complex environment and what actions should be in place to strengthen the security, internal safety, and economy of the bloc.