Transcript SMEs and SME policy in Germany

SMEs and SME policy in Germany
Dr. Armgard Maria Wippler
Head of Section „General issues on SME Policy
Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy
German Mittelstand – an international brand
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SME = Mittelstand?
SME
Quantitative criteria
< 500 employees
< 50 Mio. € turnover
< 250 employees
< 50 Mio. € turnover
or
Mittelstand
“Mindset”
combination of ownership and
liability
responsibility
• for the success of the company
• for staff
• for the region
long-term strategy
< 43 Mio. € total
assets
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SMEs are the backbone of the German economy
99,6 %
Nearly all enterprises are SMEs
 3.7 million SMEs in Germany, a few thousand large ones
 99,6 % of all enterprises
59,4 %
SME are a major driver of employment
 More than 15 million employees
 Almost 60 % of all employees
 84 % of all trainees
56,5 %
SME contribute strongly to economic activity
 account for 56,5 % in total net added value
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What makes the German Mittelstand so successful?
Sector
Size
Internationalization
Innovation
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Success of German SMEs
Where does the state come in?
Non-interventionist / competition policy / regulatory
framework
Availability of resources
Internal success factors
•
•
highly qualified workforce
•
•
dual vocational training
system
availability of debt and
equity capital via
commercial sector
•
•
public funding
R&D infrastructure
•
Innovation support schemes
•
foreign trade and investment
promotion
financial means to invest
and grow
•
high degree of innovation
•
export orientation /
internationalization
Interplay between economic policy, self-governing bodies
within business and business associations
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Dual vocational training system breeds skilled
professionals with needs-oriented qualifications
Within the dual vocational training system

practical and theoretical training are combined

in-company curriculum and school-based curriculum are
coordinated

training content and examinations follow nationwide standards
and are continually updated

chambers ensure a high level of quality
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Success of German SMEs
Where does the state come in?
Non-interventionist / competition policy / regulatory
framework
Availability of resources
Internal success factors
•
•
highly qualified workforce
•
•
dual vocational training
system
availability of debt and
equity capital via
commercial sector
•
•
public funding
R&D infrastructure
•
Innovation support schemes
•
foreign trade and investment
promotion
financial means to invest
and grow
•
high degree of innovation
•
export orientation /
internationalization
Interplay between economic policy, self-governing bodies
within business and business associations
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Mittelstand spirit: act and grow on its own
initiative
% of companies that received
assistance within the last 3
years
100
Reasons for not using
assistance
32
Other reasons
50
83
68
No need
0
17
Yes
No
0
50
Mittelstand relies on established structures
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100
Success of German SMEs
Where does the state come in?
Non-interventionist / competition policy / regulatory
framework
Availability of resources
Internal success factors
•
•
highly qualified workforce
•
•
dual vocational training
system
availability of debt and
equity capital via
commercial sector
•
•
public funding
R&D infrastructure
•
Innovation support schemes
•
foreign trade and investment
promotion
financial means to invest
and grow
•
high degree of innovation
•
export orientation /
internationalization
Interplay between economic policy, self-governing bodies
within business and business associations
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German Foreign Trade and Export Promotion
information on
foreign trade
and
investments
(GTAI)
bilateral
chambers
of
commerc
e
multilateral
policies for
open markets
and fair trade
export
credit
guarantee
s
foreign tradefair program
investment
guarantees
export
initiatives
market
developmen
t program
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Success of German SMEs
Where does the state come in?
Non-interventionist / competition policy / regulatory
framework
Availability of resources
Internal success factors
•
•
highly qualified workforce
•
•
dual vocational training
system
availability of debt and
equity capital via
commercial sector
•
•
public funding
R&D infrastructure
•
Innovation support schemes
•
foreign trade and investment
promotion
financial means to invest
and grow
•
high degree of innovation
•
export orientation /
internationalization
Interplay between economic policy, self-governing bodies
within business and business associations
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SME policy: actors at various levels
political framework
conditions
Private
sector
Government
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Thank you very much for your
attention!
Khop Khun Maak Kha!
For further questions: [email protected]
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