1. A Single European Market for all ELENA GRECH

2. The Single Market: a success story 1992-2006: approx.1 840 billion Euros in value added 2.75 million extra jobs (1.4 % of total employment) (figures do not include Services, where there is a huge potential)

3. Remember … How much you used to pay for roaming charges a year ago – and how the Single Market has brought down prices How much you used to pay for a cross- border money transfer – now for free in most countries

5. Citizens Live, work, study, retire in other EU countries Wider choice of high-quality products & services

6. Businesses Almost 500 mio potential customers Less red tape – reduced costs thanks to an improved regulatory framework EU level playing field making it easier to export worldwide

7. Photo: Marc Riboux

8. Todays challenges… Enlargement – from 12 to 27 members Shift towards a services economy Social and environmental challenges (ageing, climate change, energy)

9. … the response: a new approach to Single Market policy A Single European Market for All A new approach Focus on consumers … … and small firms

10. Opportunities for consumers Retail financial services Improve consumers choice and confidence: facilitate switching of bank accounts improve financial literacy a basic bank account for everyone mortgage credits, transfer of credit data

11. Opportunities for consumers Strengthen consumer rights and redress Simpler and clearer contractual rights for consumers Collective redress A consumer scoreboard to monitor progress

12. Opportunities for small firms Creating a Single Market for SMEs to grow and add jobs A European Private Company statute A European Small Business Act

13. Making Globalisation deliver for Europe Using the Single Market to defend the EUs competitiveness and promote its values world-wide : Expanding the competitive space of the Single Market Setting rules and standards Ensuring that benefits of trade reach EU citizens.

14. Foster knowledge and innovation e-single market: set up e-invoicing, e-procurement; avoid e-barriers; Promote knowledge and innovation as the fifth freedom: Mobility of researchers; A modernised frameworks for e- communications, Intellectual Property Rights and fight against piracy.

15. An Assistance Service for Citizens Help for citizens and firms to exercise their Single Market rights Networks between national administrations to sort out problems - SOLVIT Creating a single gateway to advice / problem-solving for citizens and firms

16. www.europa.eu/solvit

17. To conclude: The Single Market helps Europe to meet the challenges of the 21st century. It increases opportunities for people and businesses and brings concrete benefits. It is not just a means in itself; it is a means to –advance the interests and values of Europeans in an area of globalisation; –foster economic growth, which in turn –can deliver more jobs, –universal access to key services, –high social and environmental standards and –high levels of investment in research and education to prepare for the future.

18. Services of General Interest (SGI) Essential for daily life; ensure social, economic and territorial cohesion The Single Market helps to ensure that citizens have access to high-quality, accessible and affordable SGIs Continue pragmatic approach: modernise where necessary, provide guidance, monitor effects