INFORMATION SOCIETY: EUROPE'S E-COMMERCE STRATEGY STILL KEY.

According to Mr Liikanen, the new economy is a new model that concerns the entire economy so that while the hype may be over, the integration of the old and new economy goes on as a growing and diverse range of companies continue to turn to the Internet. He added that as this integration between the old and new economies takes shape, it will aid the shift towards a networked and knowledge-based economy, creating a system where an ever-increasing number of individuals and businesses get connected. He pointed to the continued growth of Internet use in European homes and figures showing that the percentage of regular users is approaching an EU average of 40 per cent. Mr Liikanen was keen to emphasise, however, the importance of clear long-term public policy objectives. "Investors are influenced by stock markets," he said, "but public policy must not fluctuate with share prices." He said clear government policy is needed to continue the liberalisation of the telecoms market, accelerate e-commerce, tackle cyber-security issues, promote quality content and 'bridge the digital divide' by ensuring skills for all.There remain, however, several areas where further effort is needed to boost European e-commerce, according to Commissioner Liikanen. Explaining...