On Tuesday 20 October 2015, Portuguese President Anibal Cavaco Silva, European Commissioner for the Digital Economy, Günther Oettinger and Secretary of State for the Economy, Francine Closener, were present for the opening of the ICT 2015 conference in Lisbon, a major event in the field of information and communications technology (ICT).

Held every two years by the European Commission, the conference assembles thousands of visitors, including the best scientists and ICT strategists from across Europe, potential investors, and representatives of start-ups and leading businesses in the sector. The Commission will be presenting its new policies and initiatives in digital technology until the conference closes tomorrow, particularly with regards to the promotion of 5G, the deployment of the Internet of Things and the digitalisation of the industry.

"The Presidency welcomes the European Commission giving priority to the development of the digital single market, through the locial continuation of efforts made to complete the internal market of the EU," commented Secretary of State for the Economy, Francine Closener, in a speech made at the opening ceremony of the conference, on the sidelines of which she also held a bilateral meeting with Commissioner Günther Oettinger. "Job creation and growth are paramount for the proper fucntioning and deepening of the internal market which takes into account the digital transversality affecting all economic sectors".

The Digital Single Market strategy will aim to garner €415 billion annually for the economy of the EU, by removing regulatory walls and amassing 28 national markets into one.

This year's ICT 2015 event will also compritse an interactive exhibition to highlight the best results of European Research & Innovation in the field of ICT; networking opportunities to enhance quality partnerships and trigger collaboration to enhance Research and Innovation; thematic sessions regarding the Horizon 2020 Work Programme 2016-2017, with information on ICT funding opportunities; and the Startup Europe Forum, providing a set of activiites profiling EU policy actions for startups and SMEs, as well as innovators and private and public investors.

 

Photo by MECO (L-R: Günther Oettinger, European Commissioner for the Digital Economy; Francine Closener, Secretary of State for the Economy)