Communication on New Aspects of SME Policy in the Context
Download
Report
Transcript Communication on New Aspects of SME Policy in the Context
A Small Business Act for Europe
Podgorica, 26 May 2008
Edward TERSMETTE
SMEs facts and figures
23 million SMEs in European Union
99% of all EU enterprises
57% of the Union's total economic added value
75 million jobs (67% of private employment)
SMEs = highly flexible structures
…but Europe still lacks entrepreneurship
Lisbon Agenda
Renewed Lisbon strategy: Partnership for Growth
and Jobs (2005)
Integrated guidelines for Growth and Jobs
Community Lisbon programme
27 National Reform Programmes + implementation
reports
Annual progress report including country-specific
recommendations
3
2006 Spring European Council
Priority action: Unlocking the business potential,
especially of SMEs
Start up procedures (less than 7 days, use of one- stopshops)
Entrepreneurship education
Recruitment of 1st employee
“Think Small First”
Public procurement
Review at the end of 2007
4
Modern SME Policy for Growth and
Employment
Coherent framework for SME policy
Inclusive of all types of SMEs
Main achievements (mid-term review):
Progress of « Think Small First » at EU level
e.g. State aid rules, FP7, REACH, CIP
Progress in the field of better regulation
Initiatives to encourage entrepreneurship
Regular dialogue with stakeholders
Announcement of a « Small Business Act »
5
A “Small Business Act” for Europe
Spring European Summit – March 13-14, 2008
SBA to reinforce the Union’s SME policy and to allow
SMEs operate more effectively in the Single Market.
Objectives
Anchor the “Think Small First” in policy making
Encourage SME growth and competitiveness
Set principles and concrete measures
Policy areas
Simplify the regulatory framework
Improve SMEs’ access to single market
Ensure better access for SMEs to public procurement
Improve SMEs access to finance and innovation
Promote entrepreneurship, skills and mobility
Help SMEs’ to go global
Public consultation
From end January until end March 2008
Over 500 replies from enterprises, SME organisations and
public authorities.
Reducing administrative burden the first priority among
stakeholders.
Other areas where action is needed: access to finace,
taxation, skills, public procurement, labour law.
The report on the public consultation available on-line.
Next steps
Adoption foreseen in July.
The French presidency will discuss the SBA and adopt
formal conclusions in the Competitiveness Council in
December, 2008.
More information
SBA
http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/entrepreneurship/sba_en.htm
SME-portal
http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/sme/index.htm