Cardona urges more ambition in EU single market strategy

Economy minister warns EU not to introduce initiatives that  hamper innovation and growth during discussion on Single Market Strategy 

A meeting of the Competitiveness Council in Brussels
A meeting of the Competitiveness Council in Brussels

Economy minister Chris Cardona has called for more ambition to be shown in the EU’s single market strategy, which aims to provide a new impetus for jobs and growth in the EU. 

“This is an area in which new business models are constantly emerging, and it’s important that we do not hamper innovation and growth,” Cardona said during a Competitiveness Council meeting in Brussels. “On the other hand, any legislation emanating from this strategy should ensure that the realities and specificities of member states are addressed.”

The EU single market strategy seeks to remove administrative burdens to Europe-wide operations and business and proposes the establishment of a ‘services passport’ that will allow businesses to operate cross-border without facing administrative burden in every member state.

It also proposes the “modernization” of the current framework for regulated profession, suggesting that several rules pose unnecessary obstacles to provide a cross-border basis

Cardona called on the Commission “to develop and put in place targets in particularly difficult areas especially for SMEs,”  as was called for in last year’s Competitiveness Council conclusions.  

“To improve the functioning of the single market for further growth, Malta considers that there is a need to see what the specific needs are in a particular sector first, before assessing which tool is best to remove any internal market barriers subsequently identified,” he said.

During the first part of the council meeting, the second edition of the ‘competitiveness check-up’ was discussed.

The check-up included the presentation of a report on the state of play and outlook with regard to competitiveness mainstreaming, which is a process that seeks to ensure that EU policies have a positive impact on competitiveness.

The check-up took into account the key indicators on integration and competitiveness in the EU and its member states, where Malta is amongst the best performers for foreign direct investment, export of services (including intra-EU exports) and extra-EU exports.