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    EU digital single market: a catalyst for business growth in the CEE region



    14 November 2024, Warsaw

    EU digital single market: a catalyst for business growth in the CEE region

    The e-commerce sector in the Central and Eastern European (CEE) region has experienced dynamic growth in recent years, mainly due to the increasing digitalisation of economies and integration into the European Union’s Single Digital Market (DSM). This integration enables companies, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), to access new markets, which has a positive impact on their competitiveness and cross-border trade opportunities. The Digital Single Market plays a key role in their development, eliminating barriers to online trade and promoting the harmonisation of regulations across the European Union, resulting in a better operating conditions for companies in the CEE region. In this report, we take a broader look at the main aspects of the development of the e-commerce sector and the challenges faced by companies seeking further expansion.

    As the data shows, countries such as Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania and Slovenia are experiencing significant growth in e-commerce. In 2023, the value of the e-commerce market in the region increased by 29%, reaching EUR 104 billion. Forecasts indicate that by 2026, the share of e-commerce in retail sales in Poland and the Czech Republic could reach 23% and 24% respectively, highlighting a strong growth potential. The growth is also being driven by investments in modern digital infrastructure and the development of logistics, which enables companies to fulfil orders efficiently.

    The Digital Single Market makes it much easier for companies in the CEE region to operate internationally. Previously, companies had to struggle with discrepancies in the legal regulations in their respective countries, which made expansion into other markets difficult. The harmonisation of online trading regulations reduces operational costs and simplifies procedures. In 2021, the value of cross- -border e-commerce sales in Europe amounted to EUR 237 billion, 59% of it coming from marketplace platforms. Standardised regulations give companies from the CEE region the opportunity to expand rapidly into European markets, resulting in their increased competitiveness.

    See the full report: EU digital single market: a catalyst for business growth in the CEE region

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