Brussels, 03/03/2015 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 2 March, the Competitiveness Council held a debate on the different aspects and dimensions to industrial policy, as part of the future strategy for the digital single market.
Ministers agreed that a competitive and digital European Union depends on innovative companies that fully exploit the potential provided by digital instruments. They concluded that this is the basis for a modern economy and a preliminary condition for growth and job creation.
At the end of the debate, the ministers adopted conclusions resuming the different action to be taken to remove barriers that unnecessarily restrict the development of the single digital market and the transition to a fully digital environment. They particularly advocate: 1) the facilitation of access to financing for companies, particularly innovative start-ups; 2) improving digital skills and providing training in new technologies; 3) making the online commercial environment more user-friendly, increasing online trust and enhancing cyber security; 4) modernising intellectual property rules to adapt them to the digital environment; 5) increase interoperability of standards; 6) reduce the administrative burden and costs for enterprise; 7) help hi-tech hubs for innovation develop at national and European levels.
Dana Reizniece-Ozola, the Latvian minister for the economy, said: “There's no time to lose if Europe wants to head the digital revolution and increase competitiveness. This requires the adoption of a number of key measures such as the elimination of artificial barriers preventing our companies and citizens from fully benefiting on an equal footing from the single market. Creating the basis for a solid investor friendly framework is also crucial”.
Ministers also discussed digital transformation throughout industry, as well as better use of digital instruments and investment incentives in the digital sector. The results from the discussion will help underpin the work for drawing up a digital market strategy that the European Commission will present in May. (Isabelle Lamberty)