Council Conclusions

on the competitiveness of business-related services

(2004/C 86/03)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

1. RECALLING

- the crucial role of services in the European economy and their potential for productivity growth and employment creation, in particular in the context of achieving the objectives of the Lisbon strategy;

- the efforts being made in the context of the integrated strategy for competitiveness for improving the competitiveness of industry and business in general, promoting secure and favourable framework conditions and encouraging entrepreneurship;

2. WELCOMES the Commission's communication on "the Competitiveness of Business-related Services(1) and their contribution to the performance of European enterprises"(2) and RECOGNISES that the measures identified by the Commission could contribute to increasing productivity growth and employment;

3. RECOGNISES that the proposed framework directive on services in the Internal Market constitutes an important element in improving the competitiveness of business-related services and UNDERTAKES to examine this proposal as a matter of priority;

4. WELCOMES, therefore, the intention of the Commission to establish a goal-oriented European Forum on business-related services for the purpose of effectively consulting stakeholders and other experts in its development of an Action Plan for business-related services;

5. In the light of the Commission's analysis and in the context of improving the competitiveness of business-related services, STRESSES in particular the need for action on a European level to:

- develop the internal market and competitive framework conditions for business related services in order to improve competition, strengthen market integration and meet global competitive challenges;

- promote continuous learning and updating of skills of the labour force and stimulate the integration of ICT into business processes in order to improve productivity;

- improve the understanding of linkages between business-related services and other sectors of the economy, in particular the manufacturing industries and the public sector;

- improve statistical information: business-related services are of considerable economic importance to the EU. Better data and economic analysis constitute essential instruments for achieving better knowledge and determining policy choices. Improvements in statistical information should be achieved whilst minimising the overall administrative burden;

- encourage R& D and non-technological innovation, the establishment of voluntary standards for services products and the further development of business-related services in regional and local markets;

6. LOOKS FORWARD to the development of a well targeted Action Plan for business-related services and accompanying timetable and WELCOMES the intention of the Commission to present this early in 2005 to complement the measures contained in the proposed Framework Directive on Services.

(1) As defined in the Commission's communication, business-related services consist of four major groups of activities, namely business services, distributive trades, network services and financial services, performing in different market conditions.

(2) Doc. 15933/03 COMPET 82 MI 316 IND 182 ECO 270.