Back in 2006 EU policy makers recognised the importance of a well-functioning Single Market for services. Since then, services have become even more important for overall EU competitiveness:
From a business perspective, the reality of the Single Market for services falls short of expectations. The Single Market has on average reduced trade costs by 20 per cent for goods but only 7 per cent for services.
This report identifies four important gaps:
This calls for a Single Market. Not one Single Market for goods, another for services and a third for digital activities. This report points to six concrete areas where improvements to the Single Market for services can be made.
The study is commissioned by the Irish Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation, the Ministry of industry and Trade Czech Republic, the Danish Ministry of Industry, Business and Financial Affairs and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment of Finland.
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