PIN-SME, the European association of ICT SMEs and BITMi, The Bundesverband IT-Mittelstand e.V. (BITMi), welcome the designated EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker’s announcement to focus his presidency on digital economy. “Representing Germany’s and Europe’s IT-SMEs, we are glad to observe that the digitization finally has come into Europe’s focus. Jean Claude Juncker, with his digital politics, gives credit to the significance of a strong, European IT-branch for the whole economy. Now it is important to focus on the IT-SMEs as the biggest employers and innovators for IT jobs in Europe” says Dr. Oliver Grün, president of BTMi and vice president of the European SME association PIN-SME.

While Americans, based in the Silicon Valley, continue to extend their domination, the European IT-sector sinks into insignificance. Meanwhile, Germany separates itself with the interior minister de Maizière’s plans of passing an IT-security law in a national solo attempt. By establishing a commissioner for digital matters with wide-ranging areas of competence following Junckerís plans, European answers might be found. “Juncker has understood that a decisive, common action is important in order to face the American dominance” emphasizes Grün. “We need to have the courage for a confrontation on an economic level.”

About BITMi:

Bundesverband IT-Mittelstand e.V. (BITMi) represents more than 1.000 IT companies and is therefore the largest professional association exclusively for the interests of SMEs.

About PIN-SME:

The Pan European ICT & eBusiness Network for SMEs (PIN-SME) is the European association of IT-SMEs based in Brussels and represents several tens of thousands 10 Small and Medium-sized Information Technology Enterprises. (www.pin-sme.eu)