Brussels, 07/02/2012 (Agence Europe) - The competitiveness of the regions will also come about through the digital economy. This is an asset that cohesion policy should not ignore, particularly as part of its “anti crisis” action, a concept dear to the heart of Danuta Hübner (EPP, Poland).
At an event organised at the European Parliament on Tuesday 7 February, with the collaboration of the Polish Confederation of Private Employers Lewiatan, and Telekomunikacja Polska SA, the chair of the parliamentary committee for regional development (the previous European commissioner for this policy) stated: “Digital modernisation is the key to overcoming the economic crisis, creating growth and more jobs. The internet is a critical element of the economic revival both at regional and local level. To fully take advantage of the regional development funds, well orchestrated decisions are necessary, especially in the light of the current negotiations on the next multiannual financial framework.”
Hubner particularly highlighted the fact that the internet economy helps create new jobs, particularly among young people, who are indeed those most affected by unemployment. She is, therefore, delighted to see that the proposals put forward by the European Commission for cohesion policy up to 2014 takes this matter into account. These proposals are currently being discussed at the European Parliament. European structural funds help finance investment in the expansion of broadband and high speed internet, particularly in states that have recently joined the EU.
Marjorie Jouen, the deputy head of cabinet of Mercedes Bresso, the president of the Committee of the Regions, considers that it is particularly the rural, isolated, mountainous or island regions that are in most need of public support to build infrastructure or provision of access. She also believes that the local and regional authorities should pay particular attention to SMEs working in the digital economy and not only the big companies. In an effort to ensure that the digital agenda is indeed a source of growth, Jouen says it is necessary to reduce the digital divide and help develop digital take-up. She also says that education is another area in which structural funds can help matters. She is supported in this opinion by Hubner: “Internet exclusion is the burden of the 21st Century. The digital potential of EU regions should be better used by regional policy funding. It is a challenge but also a chance.” (MD/transl.l)