EU Decision-Makers Given Practical Plan for Achieving Competitiveness in Digital Age

BRUSSELS, May 4, 2010 - "Digital technologies are critical enablers of sustainable growth,
innovation and employment in the modern European economy," states a new
report launched today by DIGITALEUROPE.

"Forty per cent of productivity growth in Europe is made possible by
interaction between information technology and communications capabilities
with industry, services and public sector activities; this figure can grow
exponentially as we move out of the recession if ICT is adopted more
broadly," states Bridget Cosgrave, Director-General DIGITALEUROPE.

European competitiveness and prosperity in the global digital age is
inextricably linked to a dynamic ICT sector says DIGITALEUROPE's 'Vision
2020: A Transformation Agenda for the Digital Age.'

The achievement of a European Digital Single Market lies at the heart of
European future competitiveness, points out Erkki Ormala, President of
DIGITALEUROPE. "At least four per cent additional GDP (EU27) can be gained by
stimulating further adoption of ICT and digital services through the creation
of a Digital Single Market. We must remedy our market's fragmentation."

Digital technologies play a strategic role in creating growth
opportunities for domestic and export growth opportunities for manufacturing,
services, environmental and cultural industries. "The digital industry is
taking a proactive approach to identify quick wins, which demonstrates our
ability to enable competitiveness and sustainability in other sectors across
Europe," Cosgrave adds.

DIGITALEUROPE's report delivers a clear message from technology
thought-leaders to EU decision-makers on the essential building blocks
required for Europe's future competitiveness.

"Europe must invest in infrastructure enabling Next-Generation Networks
and Services to flourish - Internet everywhere is essential," adds Cosgrave
who also points to the need for Europe to be host and home to a healthy ICT
R&D sector. "We should be boosting R&D expenditure to a minimum of three per
cent of EU GDP by 2015 to stay ahead of the game."

"Europe's ICT sector represents more than six million employees - these
figures are likely to jump in the coming three to five years as an expected
ninety per cent of all jobs by 2015 require ICT skills. Job creation for by
the sector is expected to exceed 300,000 new jobs in the next five years. Our
young generation need e-Skills to be assured of future employability."

Download the report: www.digitaleurope.org/index.php?id=1178

    Media enquiries

    Natalia KUROP - DIGITALEUROPE, Director, Communication & Marketing
    T. +32-2-609-53-26 M. +32-487-34-05-71 E. natalia.kurop@digitaleurope.org

Media enquiries: Natalia KUROP - DIGITALEUROPE, Director, Communication & Marketing, T. +32-2-609-53-26 M. +32-487-34-05-71 E. natalia.kurop at digitaleurope.org