Ministers verantwoordelijk voor concurrentiebeleid bijeen in Umeå: Hoe leggen we een stevig fundament voor de toekomst?

On Wednesday EU competitiveness ministers will meet for three days in Umeå to discuss an eco-efficient economy, the future internal market and research and development. Minister for Trade Ewa Björling will begin the ministerial meeting with her EU colleagues on Wednesday 14 October.

The discussions on Wednesday will centre on how citizens, companies and consumers can make better use of free movement within the EU and what can be done to facilitate the trade in services in the EU. The trade ministers will also discuss the impact of globalisation on the EU’s competitiveness and growth. How can Europe become even more competitive?

11.00 Press conference: Services without borders

Dr Björling will talk about her expectations ahead of the meeting. Mauro Gozzo, Chief Economist at the Swedish Trade Council, will present a new report on the significance of the trade in services, using Swedish exports to illustrate his remarks. The report shows that:

• - 

  Services exports do not just reflect the activities of the manufacturing sector. Several pure services industries are also growing strongly. 
• - 

  Services exports have increased by an average of 9 per cent per year since Sweden joined the EU, compared with annual growth of 5.7 per cent for goods exports.
• - 

  Transport services, tourism and IT services are the areas increasing most.

14.00 Prize ceremony: The Single Market Award

Dr Björling and Jörgen Holmquist from the European Commission will present the newly established Single Market Award. It goes to a company or person who has worked actively to improve free movement in the internal market.

17.30 Press conference after the ministerial meeting 

Dr Björling will sum up the meeting and present a new report on the conditions for trade in services in the EU in the future. The report has served as a basis for the ministers’ discussions. It shows that:

• - 

  There are fewer technical barriers to trade than people might believe, but the idea that it is difficult to trade in services prevents companies from claiming trade gains.
• - 

  There is great potential for increased trade in services in the EU, but this will require European politicians to continue to work on full implementation of free movement in the internal market.  

The ministerial meeting will be held at the Nolia Trade Fair in Umeå. Accreditation can be obtained via the Presidency website: se2009.eu. A full media programme is also available on the website. There will be an exhibition in connection with the meeting with displays from companies and universities under the joint heading “Competitiveness for the 21st Century”. The exhibition will present positive examples in three thematic areas: care services, an eco-efficient economy and research focusing on sustainable development. There will also be a number of photo opportunities for the media on all three days. The second day will be chaired by Minister for Enterprise and Energy Maud Olofsson, and the third day by Minister for Higher Education and Research Tobias Krantz.