Brussels, 22/07/2013 (Agence Europe) - The informal meeting in Vilnius is expected to examine ways of modernising public administration and encouraging online public procurement and the efficiency of state-owned enterprises.
Lithuania's Minister of Economy Evaldas Gustas will chair an informal meeting in Vilnius of European ministers for industry and enterprise. Discussions will focus on the topic of modernising the public sector as a driver of competitiveness.
During the plenary session, four aspects will be tackled, with a keynote speaker for each: - modernisation of public administration, with European Commissioner for Industry and Entrepreneurship Antonio Tajani; - digitalising public administration, with European Commissioner for the Internal Market and Services Michel Barnier; - how efficient state-owned enterprises can contribute to growth and competitiveness, with the former prime minister of Belgium and current deputy secretary general of the OECD, Yves Leterme; - the response of public administration to the needs of SMEs, with the director general for DG Enterprise at the European Commission, Daniel Calleja Crespo.
The meeting will then divide into three working groups, focusing respectively on the transparency and accountability of public enterprises; smart-procurement (online procurement and e-invoicing in public procurement); and Think Small First measures for SMEs during the design of legislation, regulation and administrative procedures.
“We need to rationalise public expenditure, simplify public procurement, improve business conditions - especially for SMEs, facilitate cross-border procurement, to ensure the efficiency of public administration in Europe”, said Gustas the day before the meeting.
Over a working lunch, the ministers will discuss female entrepreneurship as an unexploited source of economic growth and new jobs, and they will also share their views on how member states could contribute to promoting female entrepreneurship.
The Competitiveness Council will continue on Wednesday 24 July, with a meeting of education and research ministers chaired by Lithuania's minister, Dainius Pavalkis. (EH/transl.fl)