The IT sector will create 1.5 million new jobs in Europe by 2010, with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) playing the biggest part in the employment growth, according to research.
A study by analyst firm IDC estimates that the jobs growth will create around £96bn in new tax revenues for governments.
There are currently around 22 million SMEs across Europe, employing almost 120 million people. This contributes 57% of pan-European gross domestic product.
The report said: “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.”
The report was commissioned by Microsoft to coincide with its ‘SME Innovation Day’ in Brussels.
