The opening of the Forum will be preceded by an information and promotional event called the Single Market Fair, which will begin on the Main Square in Krakow on October 2, 2011. During the Fair, the Institute of Logistics and Warehousing will coordinate the stand of the European network of Points of Single Contact – EUGO. The stand will provide information regarding, among others, the Polish Point of Single Contact and the SPOCS project.
Other stands: SOLVIT project, Enterprise Europe Network, European Network of Ombudsmen, Your Europe Advice, European Consumer Centres Network, Europe Without Barriers project, and others.
The SIMFO project was initiated by the European Parliament’s Committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) and is intended to be a recurring event. Annual SIMFO events will be organized by the EP and the EC in cooperation with the country holding the Presidency at the time. The first Forum, in a format slightly different from that planned in Poland and for subsequent years (a public hearing), took place on November 9, 2010, in Brussels and concerned the Single Market Act (SMA) Communication. The goal of SIMFO is to support and develop the single market by increasing the awareness of entrepreneurs and citizens regarding their available rights and opportunities.
The Forum organized in Krakow is aimed at all participants of the internal market. Invitations will be extended to representatives of consumers, business, industry associations and non-governmental organizations, representatives of national parliaments, central and local administration, national ombudsmen, representatives of the European Parliament, the European Commission, the Committee of the Regions, the European Economic and Social Committee, the Court of Justice, representatives of the Managing Authorities of EFTA countries, and the Eastern Partnership. Over two days, participants will take part in panel discussions, meetings, and workshops on issues of professional qualifications, alternative dispute resolution, Points of Single Contact, e-commerce, fundamental social rights of posted workers, public procurement, cooperation between administration and citizens and entrepreneurs (including the Top 20 most concerning restrictions in the internal market), as well as the implementation of Community regulations into national legal systems. The winner of the “Tell us your story” competition will also be announced.
The summary of SIMFO in Krakow will be a declaration in the form of a commitment to take concrete actions regarding the utilization of opportunities and the further development of the internal market.
More information about SIMFO can be found on the European Commission website.