Structural Reforms and the Benefits of the Enlarged EU Internal Market : Much Achieved and Much to Do

Jens Matthias Arnoldi ; Peter Hoelleri ; Margaret Morgani ; Andreas Wörgötteri iOECD

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development

关键词: regulation;    integration;    productivity;    economic growth;    structural reforms;   

DOI  :  https://doi.org/10.1787/224350486867

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: OECD iLibrary

【 摘 要 】

High expectations surrounded the two waves of eastward EU enlargement in 2004 and 2007, with the extension of the EU Internal Market being expected to deliver a substantial boost to economic growth in new and old member States alike. Indeed, considerable progress has been made, with existing evidence pointing to increased trade and FDI flows, enhanced east-west migration and a more stable macroeconomic environment. However, completion of the internal market is progressing at an uneven pace, and comparatively less progress can be seen in services industries, which provide over two-thirds of jobs and value added in the economy. Empirical estimates suggest that competition and trade-enhancing reforms in services industries could generate substantial productivity improvements across EU member economies. Over a period of 10 years, the predicted increase in labour productivity resulting from a bold reform package is around 10% for the average EU country, and new member States stand to gain even more. In addition to service-sector reform, priorities towards a more integrated EU internal market should include removing remaining barriers to labour mobility, improving transport infrastructure, mutual recognition of qualifications, and enhanced market integration of network industries. Finally, a more explicit use of benchmarking may help to enhance the momentum of future internal market reforms.