eBay Inc.’s CEO, John Donahoe recently penned an article “Connected Commerce: Creating a More Inclusive and Prosperous Economy” that was published as part of the series Digital Minds for a New Europe. In his article, Donahoe explains that historically cross border trade expansion is a proven catalyst for economic growth. Until recently, the global marketplace has been reserved for large corporations only. However, the Internet has completely opened up new avenues for small and medium sized businesses.

“The emergence of a truly interconnected, global digital network, and the global platforms and services that operate over that network, has revolutionized the global opportunities available to Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Europe, and around the world, in ways that are only now being seen,” wrote Donahoe. “These emerging trends and opportunities are so unprecedented that the economic and social implications are only starting to be grasped, and the advances have largely occurred without overt or conscious promotion by governments. It is increasingly clear that the Internet and mobile technologies are transforming global commerce in a ways that will expand growth, promote sustainability and, maybe most important of all, make globalization a more inclusive phenomenon. Now the challenge is to maximize this great economic and social opportunity.”

The Digital Minds for a New Europe, created by EU Commissioner Neelie Kroes, is a series of 'think-pieces' by the world's best digital minds. Advice from a “new thinker” is published each day for 40 days. Past contributors include Google Chairman Eric Schmidt, former President of Latvia Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga, and Internet founder Vint Cerf. Read John Donahoe’s article.