This morning EBSA proudly presented our priorities for the new Commission and Parliament entering office after the elections in May.
“In the European Business Services Alliance we come together from different sectors to advocate with a common voice for better conditions for and awareness of business services in the EU. While often invisible in our daily lives we are an important employer and provide services that are essential for the economy. Services account for 70% of the GDP and employment and business services alone for around 12%”, said Robert Long, Chairman of the European Business Services Alliance.
“Recent studies show that a full implementation and better enforcement of the Services Directive could add 2% to EU GDP. Our aim of joining forces in this Alliance is to minimise the obstacles that our companies still face and allow the full potential of our sectors to unfold” he continued.
Robert Strauss, Head of Unit, Services for Consumers at DG GROW gave the Key-Note speech where he underlined the importance of the single market: “The internal market will remain a high priority for the Commission, especially for services as there is still a lot to be done in this area. Member States need to not only talk the talk, but also walk the walk, and help us put a real internal market for services in place.”
The manifesto outlines our key asks within areas of particular interest to business services:
- A real single market for services
- Recognition of professional qualifications
- High quality public procurement
- Fair competition from public authorities
- Better regulation based on good service statistics
- Vocational Education and Training – a first choice
- Clarity on data access and sharing
- Services contributing to the circular economy
Read the full manifesto here: EBSA_MANIFESTO