The ICT sector is expected to create 1.5m new jobs in
Europe by 2010, with SMEs seen as playing the biggest part in
future ICT employment growth.
A study by analyst IDC on behalf of Microsoft suggested that 60%
of the new jobs will be software-related, with a third using
Microsoft platforms.
IDC also estimates that the jobs growth will create around £96bn
in new tax revenues for governments. The report was published to
coincide with a Microsoft SME Innovation Day in Brussels.
There are currently around 22 million SMEs across Europe, said
IDC, employing almost 120 million people. This contributes 57% of
pan-European gross domestic product.
IDC said in its report, "If SMEs can be stimulated into adopting
new technologies more rapidly, and creating innovative products
more competitively, Europe's position as a leading player in the
global economy can be assured."
