BUSINESSEUROPE promotes policies for the creation of a real single market for services of which economic public services are an important part. Europe is highly dependent on the services market which accounts for around 70% of EU GDP and employment.

In particular, BUSINESSEUROPE advocates for the removal of obstacles to the free movement of services, promotion of innovation of services and an adequate framework for service standardisation taking into account the specificities of services. In the field of public services, EU and national authorities should facilitate public-private partnerships for the provision of public services. This partnership can help respond to today’s economic, demographic and environmental challenges and generate added-value for society in the form of wider choice and innovative solutions, better value for money and new sources of financing.

Ready, Steady, Service! 24 November 2008 – 2008-02275-E.pdf (1.74 MB) One year before the national transposition deadline, BUSINESSEUROPE held the event "Ready, Steady, Service!" that provided a snapshot of the state of play on the transposition of the services directive - adopted in December 2006 - into national law. BUSINESSEUROPE presented a comparative report on national transposition based on information provided by its member federations. Speakers and participants had the opportunity to express their views and expectations. Participants agreed on some key recommendations for a high-quality transposition of the directive by 28 December 2009.

Public-private partnerships - Adding value to Europe's public services 8 October 2008 – 2008-01812-E.pdf (1 MB) BUSINESSEUROPE's brochure called "Public-private partnerships: Adding value to Europe’s public services" aims to raise awareness of the benefits that PPPs can bring to the economy and society. This brochure was presented by President Seillière on 8 October during BUSINESSEUROPE’s high-level event "Regions and companies: a question of partnership" in the framework of the Open Days. As illustrated in the brochure, public-private partnerships (PPPs) can, if managed correctly, improve the quality of services, provide greater choice for citizens, allow for faster delivery and improve control of public spending. In this context, BUSINESSEUROPE calls on the EU and public authorities in Europe to remove barriers that restrict partnership between the public and private sectors and calls for the wider promotion and use of PPPs as a key way to improve public service innovation.

2010

September

Business priorities for the Belgian Presidency (10 September 2010) - 2010-01864-E.pdf (112 kB) Letter from President J&uum;rgen R. Thumann handed over to Belgian Prime Minister Yves Leterme

July

Developing public-private partnerships (29 July 2010) - 2010-01753-E.pdf (551 kB) Follow-up to the 2009 communication - Letter from Philippe de Buck to José Manuel Barroso

Concessions (8 July 2010) - 2010-01623-E.pdf (107 kB) "Letter from Philippe de Buck to Commissioner Michel Barnier

June

Public services (1 June 2010) - 2010-01337-E.pdf (155 kB) "Public services shaping the EU 2020" - Address by Philippe de Buck at the CEEP Congress, Madrid

May

Competitiveness Council on 25-26 May 2010 (20 May 2010) - 2010-01242-E.pdf (561 kB) Letter from Philippe de Buck to Competitiveness Council Chair Miguel Sebastián Gascón and Co-Chairs Christina Garmendia Medizábal and Diego López Garrido

March

The Services Directive's Points of Single Contact (22 March 2010) - 2010-00815-E.pdf (728 kB) Presentation by Carlos Almaraz at the conference organised by the European Academy of Law (ERA)

January

Relaunching the EU Single Market (27 January 2010) - 2010-00267-E.pdf (3.13 MB) Contribution to Mario Monti's report

2009

November

Services directive: the European business perspective on implementation (19 November 2009) - 2009-02531-E.pdf (429 kB) Presentation by Carlos Almaraz at the Malta Business Bureau seminar on the services directive

Public-private partnerships: a tool for better and cost-effective public services and infrastructure (19 November 2009) - 2009-02516-E.pdf (107 kB) Press release

Public services in the 21st century: driving for excellence (18 November 2009) - 2009-02526-E.pdf (378 kB) Towards a stronger public and private partnership

October

Delivering public infrastructure in the 21st century: the case for PPPs (30 November 2009) - 2009-02353-E.pdf (260 kB) Presentation by Jean-Claude Banon

Point of single contact: different options for different goals (27 November 2009) - 2009-02324-E.pdf (597 kB) Presentation by Carlos Almaraz at EIPA seminar

September

Letter to the Competitiveness Council ahead of their meeting on 24-25 September 2009 (18 September 2009) - 2009-01920-E.pdf (658 kB) Annex on the services directive implementation priorities

Posting of workers (11 September 2009) - 2009-01851-E.pdf (79 kB) Letter from Philippe de Buck to José Manuel Barroso

The Services Directive: the moment of truth (3 September 2009) - 2009-01780-E.pdf (1.1 MB) Position paper

For previous public papers, search here.