WORDS OF INTRODUCTION
Dear all,
Today I am heading to Istanbul to participate in the launch of a strategic report on Turkey’s digitalisation. The report is being prepared by our Turkish national trade association Digital Turkey Platform (TBV) and aims to identify new opportunities and challenges that Turkey must address in the age of digital transformation and of changing lifestyles and educational methods.
I also look forward to exchanging views and building new partnerships with several stakeholders in Istanbul and Ankara, among which fast-growing digital companies, members of government and our other Turkish trade association ECID.
Let us recall that the European market goes beyond the EU borders. We need to look at ways to grow together and to make sure that both the EU and the Turkish society can flourish and prosper through the use of innovative digital technologies.
If we are to keep up with global competition, we must now rapidly implement a truly harmonised and unfragmented Digital Single Market on the whole continent.
Through a network of 40 national trade associations and over 63 global corporations, DIGITALEUROPE represents nearly 35,000 SMEs who massively invest in Europe’s digital future. We take pride in bringing SMEs from across Europe closer to Brussels, and Brussels´ heart closer to SMEs. Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) represent 99.8% of all businesses operating in Europe; they employ 93 million people and generate 58% of GDP. Yet, only 17% of them are selling goods or services online.
It is our common duty to allow business to grow in a homogenous home market and to enable Europe to create and maintain a fair share of European unicorns and champions.
Indeed, another hard truth is that Europe has yet to produce its tech giants. Out of 227 unicorns in the world (i.e. start-ups valued at €1bn or above), only 28 are from Europe, and the European share of the global pie is not increasing. While the highest level of growth coming from tech companies, it is an issue that around two-thirds of European start-ups are sold to foreign companies or move to the Silicon Valley within the first two growth phases. Currently, Europe has only 11% of global business unicorns – and 6% of these are based in the UK.
As a pan-European trade association, we want to acknowledge SMEs’ role in digitalising Europe, and we need to recognise those who are pioneering innovative digital services.
That’s why we have launched, for the second year in a row, the DIGITALEUROPE’s Future Unicorn Award competition. The Future Unicorn Award aims at celebrating SMEs from across Europe that have the potential to become the future European Tech giants. It puts under the spotlight SMEs which have demonstrated to be successful in digitising their business processes and in offering innovative digital products and services.
This year, 16 innovative European companies have been nominated by our National Trade Associations. The three winners will be announced at the Masters of Digital conference on the 21st of February in Concert Noble, Brussels, where they will receive their trophy by Commissioner Mariya Gabriel. There are only a few seats left, so I strongly recommend you to register if you are planning to attend.
I look forward to discussing digital growth opportunities at Masters of Digital. Let us collectively ensure that all innovative SMEs remain and scale up in Europe. This is key for Europe’s sustainability and prosperity in a global digital economy!
All the best,
Cecilia Bonefeld-Dahl
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Director-General's Speaking Engagements
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DIGITALEUROPE: The voice of digitally transforming industries
Having your digital experience in mind, we have just launched a brand new, upgraded version of our website. Get familiar with our new layout, browse through our resources, and enjoy the digital policy world of DIGITALEUROPE. Welcome!
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Discussing the Digital Single Market with Vice-President Ansip
On 17 January Cecilia Bonefeld-Dahl represented DIGITALEUROPE in a meeting with the European Commission's Vice-President for the Digital Single Market, Andrus Ansip.
During the meeting, they discussed the need to continue removing barriers and increasing digital investment within the EU budget to allow European SMEs to scale up in the EU. They also exchanged views on policy matters such as AI, e-Health, copyright, P2B and e-Privacy.
Moreover, both Cecilia and Vice-President Ansip expressed strong support for the creation of a non-fragmented Digital Single Market in the European Union.
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Omnibus proposal: EU consumer rules need to be adapted to the reality of the digital economy
In the European Union, 1 in 5 consumers already shop through voice and text technologies. The EU consumer protection framework needs to be adapted to technological developments and lead to a better functioning of the Single Market, that will benefit both consumers and the industry. Read more |
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High-Level Group on AI meeting with EU Member States
One of the topics of the high-Level Group was the definition of ethical guidelines for AI. If you also care about the ethical standards of Artificial Intelligence in Europe, you are welcome to take part in the public consultation launched by the High-Level Group. Hurry up, the consultation closes on 1 February.
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Disscussing the future of the Paris Call as FIC2019 approaches
Our Director-General, Cecilia Bonefeld-Dahl, last 23 January participated in a meeting to discuss the future of the Paris Call for Trust and Security in Cyberspace. The Call was co-signed last 12 November and sets out principles for international multi-stakeholder collaboration to improve cybersecurity.
Held during this year’s International Cybersecurity Forum in Lille, the closed-door meeting was co-chaired by Henri Verdier, French Ambassador for Digital Affairs, and Guillaume Poupard, Director General of the French National Cybersecurity Agency (ANSSI).
Participants discussed multiple ways forward to advance the objectives of the Call, from the French G7 Presidency to fostering cyber hygiene and skills. Cecilia also stressed the importance of the new Cybersecurity Act and of consistent implementation of the NIS Directive to achieve more scale and harmonisation in Europe. |
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Teambuilding
DIGITALEUROPE is not only about hard work and dedication but also about team spirit. That is why we spent an afternoon painting and cooking together. Our exercises mainly focused on teamwork and communication, but we also managed to spend some quality time in the company of our colleagues and get to know each other better. Go DIGITALEUROPE Team! :)
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Altinget, Denmark
AI in Europe: keeping values or value creation?
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Haberler.com, Turkey
Digitalisation Report: Turkey
Read more
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Latest policy information
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