The two largest business organisations in Denmark, The Confederation of Danish Industry (DI) and The Danish Chamber of Commerce, issued an urgent joint appeal prior to Friday's meeting in Copenhagen of the EU Ministers for Competitiveness: If we want economic growth in Europe, we must implement the Stability Treaty with tight control of the economy and, at the same time, strengthen the Single Market.
– We need to boost the Single Market to drive growth again. That requires countries to clean up their act on national regulations and pave the way for far more free trade across EU borders. It also means that the common EU rules must be enforced in an identical manner, says Director General and CEO Karsten Dybvad, DI, and CEO Jens Klarskov, The Danish Chamber of Commerce.
The two organizations are demanding far-reaching improvements of the Single Market to accelerate growth. Notably much more free trade on the Internet than the European Commission proposes in their Single Market Act. If e-commerce is to be encouraged, there is a need for action to make it safe for consumers and businesses online.
Studies show that the Single Market Act could reap a much-needed economic benefit of 600 billion Euros for businesses, but to realise that all EU-members must eliminate barriers to the free movement of goods, capital, people and services.
- The Single Market almost came to a halt just before we got the Internet. But a digital single market that makes it easier for customers and businesses to meet, and where digital services can flow freely and safely across borders, unlocks a huge potential. If solved correctly, the digital home market could give us an increase in GDP of four per cent in the EU. So it is obvious that we must make a concentrated effort to remove the barriers and create room for new, innovative services, says Jens Klarskov.
One of the problems in the Single Market is a lack of understanding of the underlying principles behind the Single Market despite the fact that all member countries agree that free trade is a good thing.
– The creation of the Single Market is one of the greatest achievements of the common European project. And it can become an even more powerful engine for growth creation. But far too many national regulations obstruct the free movement. The economic crisis ought to be an ample incentive to tear down the barriers, says Karsten Dybvad.
The joint statement from DI and The Danish Chamber of Commerce comes on the eve of the ‘One Europe – One Market’ conference taking place in Copenhagen today, marking the 20-year anniversary of the Single Market.