Completing the Digital Single Market

The European Parliament today adopted a draft Resolution on completing the Digital Single Market. "The implementation of the Digital Single Market is one of the most important, ambitious and innovative initiatives that we have undertaken in the European institutions in recent years," said Pablo Arias Echevarría MEP, EPP Group Coordinator in the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) Committee of the European Parliament.

The Resolution emphasises that a Digital Single Market in which services can flow freely within a market of 500 million consumers is a crucial driver for competitiveness and economic growth, providing for highly-qualified jobs and facilitating the EU's transformation into a knowledge-driven economy.

99% of all European businesses are SMEs, providing 85% of jobs. SMEs are therefore the driving force of the European economy, with prime responsibility for wealth creation, employment and growth, as well as innovation and R&D. The number of SMEs that trade online has grown and generated jobs and benefits. If we help them to connect to the digital economy, we help to generate growth and jobs. "I firmly believe in an equation: SMEs + Internet = economic growth and employment," says Arias.

Arias insists that consumers and businesses need broadband access to take full advantage of the internet as an important driver for economic growth and job creation, boosting online commerce and services.

"In times of economic and financial crisis it is essential to take measures to stimulate growth and create employment. Completing the Digital Single Market would be a crucial step forward in terms of achieving this goal," concluded Arias Echevarría.