B9+ Statement to D9+ Ministers' meeting in Luxembourg

This paper sets out the perspectives of the B9+ Business Federations on key priorities for Europe’s digital agenda.

With geopolitics becoming more volatile, technologies evolving at unprecedented speed, and global competition intensifying—particularly in light of Europe’s technology gap2— a number of urgent priorities for strengthening EU competitiveness emerge.3 These include simplifying and harmonising regulation, accelerating digitalisation across industry of all sizes, infrastructure, public services, and advancing key technologies.

In this context, the B9+ envisions a Digital Europe that can access and safeguard the economic benefits of digital transformation, which requires a strong and effective internal market, openness to international cooperation and trade, and a clear focus on competitiveness and resilience. This means creating strong business conditions and building digital capacities across Europe, enabling companies to connect, innovate and trade.4 In our view, this ambition can be achieved by building on our recommendations on competitiveness and simplification, both in the context of the Digital Omnibus and beyond, as well as on AI adoption and implementation, while taking a smart approach5 to digital sovereignty.

The B9+ values the ongoing engagement with D9+ ministers and the opportunity for regular exchange. This dialogue is important to ensure that EU digital policies remain practical, effective, and aligned with economic realities.