Conference on the “Remaining Obstacles to a Fully Functioning Single for Services” took place in Crowne Plaza Hotel Vilnius on the 9^th of October, 2014. The conference was organised in order to discuss concrete cases and real business stories of market inefficiencies while trying to start or operate a business in another EU country. The discussions were focused on the effect these negative externalities have on EU Single Market for Services.

“There are still a lot of regulation issues and other discrepancies in EU member-states’ laws, qualification certification frameworks and different cultures overall. Due to these contradictions businesses face difficulties while operating or expanding operations in other EU member-states. Most of the difficulties arise due to informal barriers such as cultural differences, language and the lack of universal qualification framework for technical workers”, – said Jomas Talsnes Heggdal, Political Adviser, The Federation of Norwegian Construction Industries.

“In order to create a well-functioning single market for services, the e-commerce industry cannot be disregarded and not accounted for. Laws on online sales are far from universal throughout the EU and can even differ radically between two member-states. It is essential to ensure equal conditions for e-commerce in the EU, set audit procedures in motion if we are seeking that e-commerce in EU would be transparent, fair and competitive”, – said Stefan Kvarfordt, Advisor EU Affairs, The Swedish Trade Federation – Sweden.

During the conference, attendees has been divided into break-out sessions in which obstacles in business services, retail sector and construction industry were identified and discussed figuring out possible solutions. Conclusions of break-out sessions were then presented to the whole crowd, possible solutions and the means to implement them were suggested as well.

The conference which took place in Vilnius was one of 16 similar events initiated by the European Commission according to Single Market Forum programme. By this initiative, the EC is trying to stimulate the dialogue between businesses and European Government in order to increase the development of the Single Market in Europe. In the beginning of 2015, the concluding conference in Brussels will be held, where conclusions of all 16 conferences will be presented to the society. Recommendations on further Single Market development will be provided to the European Government alongside with the action plans to ensure the before-mentioned development to be implemented smoothly and efficiently.