European Commission 2030 Digital Compass: EUROCHAMBRES favours comprehensive approach

EUROCHAMBRES welcomes the new vision of the European Commission for Europe’s digital transformation. The European Association of Chambers of Commerce and Industry supports the need for a comprehensive approach, based on adequate digital skills training, an innovation friendly legislative framework and functioning digital eco-systems.

“The European champions of tomorrow are being shaped in our schools and universities of today!” emphasised EUROCHAMBRES President, Christoph Leitl. While acknowledging the need to properly evaluate which parts of European infrastructure are critical and that components used within those systems should be properly assessed, Mr. Leitl points out that a robust and competitive European digital and electronical industry is the key to ensuring digital autonomy.

Europe was the hub of scientific innovations for centuries, but is now lagging in digital innovation and therefore relying on foreign innovation outside Europe. “The secret of Silicon Valley or the Pearl River Delta is that young IT experts find a thriving economic eco-system accompanied by an innovation friendly legislative framework. We in Europe, must become more innovation-friendly to make the next decade a truly European digital decade!” said President Leitl.

Creating such favourable conditions for innovation is essential for a strong data economy and consequently securing Europe’s data sovereignty. European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs) will potentially make a decisive contribution to bringing talents and innovative companies together. This is the reason why European Chambers of Commerce and Industry participate in more than 40 EDIHs across the continent.