Theresa Sostmann Theresa.Sostmann@cor.europa.eu ECON members also stressed the need of a place-based approach to the EU defence industry and to industrial acceleration policies. Strengthening Europe’s competitiveness and resilience through advances in digital transformation, cybersecurity, and industrial policy while ensuring that local and regional authorities are adequately supported and actively involved was the main focus of the meeting of the Commission for Economic Policy (ECON) on 23 April. Local and regional leaders adopted a draft opinion, calling for the simplification of digital public services through user-friendly European Business Wallets. They also addressed growing cybersecurity challenges, and how to align industrial and defence initiatives with territorial needs. Simplifying digital public services Digital transformation is a key driver of European competitiveness and a cornerstone for economic productivity. However, complex procedures and regulatory and administrative burdens remain that continue to hinder the full potential of the Single Market. In this context, ECON members adopted a draft opinion on European Business Wallets (EBWs), stressing that they must be designed as simple, user-friendly and cost-effective solutions, particularly tailored to the needs of SMEs, micro-enterprises and start-ups, to support business growth across borders. They highlighted that EBWs should enable a ‘once-only’ principle, allowing businesses to submit data a single time and reuse it across different administrative procedures. They also called for targeted awareness-raising and clear guidance to ensure broad uptake, as well as adequate financial support, technical assistance and training to help local administrations meet new obligations. Rapporteur Branislav Zacharides (SK/ECR), Mayor of Vrútky, said: "The deployment of the Business Wallets will entail new administrative obligations for public authorities, which can be especially burden some for smaller municipalities. We therefore call on the European Commission and Member States to provide adequate technical capacity-building and financial support so that the Wallets can deliver real added value.” The opinion