It is not surprising therefore, that around 1 out of 5 businesses consider that distortions of competition have increased in the Single Market mainly due to government aid and subsidies that favour local competitors, anti-competitive practices from other competitors and differences in social legislation that distorts competition. Competition seems to have been equally intense at national and EU level and to have been felt in all sectors. The survey pays particular attention to public procurement where market opening is still lagging behind. The latter include traditional obstacles to trade such as linguistic or cultural barriers or the need, for marketing and commercial purposes, to establish a local presence. This may or may not be the result of an infringement of Community rules in this area.
Some findings are particularly worrying.
These two items are supposed, nevertheless to be key transparency and non-discrimination provisions built into the procurement Directives. The preliminary results of these consultations will be presented by Commissioner Monti at a conference in Brussels on 9 December and subsequently in the form of a Communication from the Commission. Problem solving One of the Commission's priorities is to encourage Member States to solve problems in the operation of the Single Market quickly and effectively. This may represent a considerable challenge to administrations' culture if one judges from business perceptions. However, most avoid introducing a formal complaint.