Remarks at Press Conference on eCommerce Action Plan Communication
Brussels, 11th January 2012
In these times of economic hardship the Commission opens the year of 2012 by launching this important initiative. It will boost growth in eCommerce, and remove barriers to the Digital Single Market.
The Internet and new technology are the engine of European competitiveness and growth – and will increasingly become more so in the future. They add hundreds of billions to GDP, boost productivity which is the key to growth, and create millions of jobs.
And for consumers, the Internet offers better choice, better flexibility and better value.
Annually, 6 trillion euros changes hands through global e-commerce. But here in Europe, citizens and businesses are lagging behind.
Each year, 200 million Europeans – 40% of all citizens – buy over the Internet. But faced with different national rules and systems, less than one quarter of that number do so across national borders. And, overall, eCommerce is still just around three and a half percent of Europe’s retail market.
This Communication sets out how we will make transacting online easier, more trustworthy, more transparent. This will benefit the consumer, but also the businesses that supply on-line products and services. They will be able to benefit from a Digital Single Market, instead of operating in one of 27 local markets. Here to read more.
