Competitiveness Council, 29/09/2016, 29 September 2016

Main results

Collaborative economy 

Ministers discussed  the collaborative economy.

The debate showed considerable encouragement for a balanced development of the collaborative economy in Europe to the benefit of consumers and businesses alike.

Whilst the collaborative economy has significant potential to generate growth and create jobs, it raises issues of fairness and equal treatment.

The activity of occasional private providers raises issues about legal status, liability and independence. Equally important are employees' rights, safety, taxation and other issues of public interest. 

Many member states explained that they are updating or revising domestic legislation to take due account of public policy objectives without curtailing business activities.

For Europe to remain competitive, we have both to encourage new players and to protect our traditional industries. We made a strong appeal today to  improve access to finance for our firms and specifically scale-ups. We also agreed to lend our support to the balanced development of the collaborative economy. The situation in the steel sector remains a source of concern to all due to its crucial position in our economies. We have to find ways to address this situation swiftly and efficiently. Peter Žiga, chair of the Council and Minister of Economy of Slovakia 

The member states and the Commission agreed to monitor closely economic and business developments in order to consider possible future action.

• Commission Communication: A European agenda for the collaborative economy

Steel industry

The Council discussed latest developments in the European steel industry.

It expressed support, together with the Commission, for measures and actions to increase the competitiveness of the sector, to undertake its modernisation and the establishment of a global level playing field.

• Steel: Preserving sustainable jobs and growth in Europe

Access to finance for EU companies and scale-ups

The Council discussed the latest competitiveness check-up, which is a health test of the real economy, focussing on ways to improve access to finance for EU companies and scale-ups.

• Competitiveness check-up

Live streaming, videos and photos

• Live streaming of public sessions and press events
• Photos and videos from the meeting, Competitiveness Council, 29 September 2016