Brussels, 07/02/2012 (Agence Europe) - The European Union must take advantage of the huge potential of e-trade and digital solutions to create renewed growth and job creation in the EU. That was the message from the Danish Presidency of the Council of the EU at the informal Competitiveness Council in Copenhagen on 2-3 February. “The European Council stressed that the creation of a well functioning digital single market is one of the central growth accelerators within the EU. At today's meeting, we have taken further steps on the matter and have agreed upon which initiatives to prioritise in order to reap the potentials of a fully functioning digital single market”, said Danish Business and Growth Minister Ole Sohn. In 2010, the digital economy represented only 3% of the European economy, despite the rapid development of e-trade, according to the Commission.
Competitiveness ministers and heads of delegations agreed to remove barriers to cross-border e-commerce. They also gave their support to initiatives proposed by the European Commission to get rid of obstacles to the creation of a single digital market. Sohn also said that there had been agreement to double online sales by 2015. Ministers also agreed to create a framework, which will enable e-procurement by 2016 and ensure that the majority of invoices will be sent electronically by 2020. Steps such as these will reduce red tape for companies so that they can concentrate on developing their businesses, Sohn said. (IL/transl.rt)