On Europe's Competitiveness at the Single Market Forum

The opening speech of the conference was delivered by Minister of Development and Technology, Krzysztof Paszyk, who highlighted the impact of a well-functioning Single Market on the EU’s competitiveness.

"Our meeting today takes place at a crucial moment. The start of the new European Commission’s term is linked to the challenge of developing a new Strategy for the Single Market," said Minister Paszyk.

"To fully harness Europe's potential, we must overcome national protectionism and create an environment where European businesses can effectively compete with the biggest global players," concluded Minister Paszyk.

The forum in Kraków provided an opportunity for in-depth discussions on the challenges and issues facing the Single Market, particularly regarding the freedom to provide cross-border services, one of the priorities of the Polish presidency.

Towards the Single Market Strategy

During parallel workshop sessions, participants debated topics such as the impact of EU enlargement on the Single Market, barriers to the free movement of goods, governance of the Single Market, and the benefits that the Single Market brings to EU regions. The European Commission presented a preliminary summary of public consultations regarding the upcoming Single Market Strategy.

Discussions at SIMFO facilitated a deeper exchange of views on the future of the Single Market, its importance for the EU, and enabled the presentation of various perspectives, needs, and expectations for the new Strategy. The European Commission is expected to present the Single Market Strategy by June 2025. Key insights from the debates will serve as a valuable contribution from the Polish presidency and the many SIMFO participants to the Commission’s work on this crucial document for the EU’s competitiveness.

The third edition of the Black Book of Barriers

During the Forum, the Ministry of Development and Technology presented the Black Book of Barriers. The third edition of the publication examined whether the barriers identified in the first two editions of the Black Book (from 2020 and 2021) have been resolved. Most of the previously reported issues persist, either leading to increased costs for cross-border business activities or even causing entrepreneurs to abandon them altogether.

Cross-border service provision, particularly the posting of workers, remains the most affected area. The barriers continue to be complex in nature, with many stemming from administrative practices and disproportionate measures in areas left to national administrations' discretion.

The Black Book of Barriers 3 serves as Poland's presidency contribution to the development of the new Single Market Strategy

Among the panelists at the event were Michał Baranowski, Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Development and Technology, former EU Commissioners for the Internal Market Mario Monti and Elżbieta Bieńkowska, Kerstin Jorna, Director-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship, and SMEs at the European Commission, as well as representatives from other EU institutions, Polish and European business organizations, national administrations, and academia.

The main organizer of SIMFO was the Ministry of Development and Technology, supported by the European Commission, the City of Kraków, and the European Labour Mobility Institute.

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