The government has issued a press release to encourage companies to do more business across Europe. The Business Minister Ian Lucas speaks of new opportunities for firms when the EU Services Directive comes into force at the end of the year. The Directive is about reducing barriers and red-tape that make it more difficult for service providers to trade competitively outside their home country. The Minister suggest that sectors such as construction, business consultancy, leisure and hospitality, accountancy and legal services could potentially benefit. He is quoted as saying, “Services account for about 70 per cent of GDP but only 20 per cent of cross-border trade in the EU. But the market for services in Europe is opening up. It’s important that UK firms, including SMEs, are ready to grasp the opportunities this presents for new jobs and growth.” The Directive requires EU Member States to establish ‘web portals’ so that service providers have a single point of contact to find out what legal requirements they must fulfil to operate in various countries. This one-stop-shop must then allow service providers to apply electronically for any licence or permit they need.
It seems obvious that this elevates the need for more efficient and timely communications, and that meeting and presenting through the web across distances will become even more routine in the future. Those who have chosen the right systems, who have the necessary skills and strategy and operate the best policies will have a significant competitive edge through online communication.
The UK’s portal will be accessible to UK and European enterprises through the Business Link website: www.businesslink.gov.uk You can read the full press release at http://www.wired-gov.net/wg/wg-news-1.nsf/lfi/DNWA-7WSEGB
