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SMEs
In the European Union, nine out of ten companies are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). They provide two out of three jobs and are the driving force for growth, job creation and innovation. To create the right conditions for a sustained recovery, the EU and Member States must put companies at the heart of their policy agenda.
Hugh Morgan-Williams, Chairman of the Canford Group plc and Chair of BUSINESSEUROPE’s Entrepreneurship & SME Committee: “SMEs are at the core of the Europe’s innovation and job creation capacity. To support their efforts to grow and remain competitive, SMEs need a more business-friendly environment, less red tape, better and more varied access to finance and fewer obstacles to cross-border activity. We expect a renewed political impetus to ensure that Member States do not slow down efforts in implementing the Small Business Act.”
Publications
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European SMEs want to grow and think big! According to a survey conducted by KPMG for the SME Action Day on 21 November 2007, one out of two SMEs sets ambitious targets for growth. If they reach their goals, this could result in the creation of an additional 2.5 million jobs. At the same time, SMEs still face numerous obstacles to growth and internationalisation.
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Joint letter from BUSINESSEUROPE and Eurochambres to Stefaan De Clerck, Belgian Minister for Justice
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Speaking points for Hugh Morgan-Williams, Chairman of BUSINESSEUROPE's Entrepreneurship & SME Committee
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"A roadmap for Europe 2020: how to return to the growth path" - Presentation by Malgorzata Starczewska-Krzysztoszek, Lewiatan
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Joint statement by BUSINESSEUROPE and EUROCHAMBRES
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Position paper on the Commission Issue Paper
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Opening remarks by Thérèse de Liedekerke, European Economic and Social Committee event on the first anniversary of the Small Business Act
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Presentation by Erik Sonntag to South England Local Partners
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Presentation by Matteo Carlo Barsani in the European Parliament hearing
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Address by Erik Sonntag in Eurocadres conference
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Position paper on the proposal for a directive
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Presentation by Erik Sonntag, EESC's SME, Professions and Crafts Category meeting
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Address by Hugh Morgan-Williams at the SME Week closing event, Prague
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presentation by Hugh Morgan-Williams at High-level stakeholder conference
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Letter from Philippe de Buck to President Barroso
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Presentation by Erik Sonntag at EP-CEBRE Policy Café
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Address Hugh Morgan-Williams, Vice-President of the Entrepreneurship & SME Committee
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Address for Hugh Morgan-Williams, Vice-President of the Entrepreneurship & SME Committee, at the Commission's hearing
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For previous public papers, search here.
Events
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7 May 2009
On 7 May 2009, BUSINESSEUROPE organised its SME event in Brussels, under the umbrella of the first European SME Week. Arndt Kirchhoff, Chairman of BUSINESSEUROPE’s Entrepreneurship & SME Committee, emphasised that European SMEs are the key ingredient for a swift and successful economic recovery. However, to release their huge potential, decisive policy action is necessary. Together with Commission Vice-President Günter Verheugen, European and national policy-makers and numerous entrepreneurs, participants discussed ways to stimulate entrepreneurship in Europe and measures that enable SMEs to succeed better in the internal market.
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Contact
Main contact
Daniel Cloquet
Director
Tel. +32 2 237 65 41
Contact Form
Other contact
Online tools and services for SMEs
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The Enterprise Europe Network provides support and advice to businesses across Europe and helps them make the most of the opportunities offered by the European Union. Services range from information on EU legislation and funding opportunities to help in finding business partners and innovation networks in their region. They are provided to entrepreneurs in their language at local level via a network of 600 partner organisations in more than 40 countries, including the 27 EU Member States, EU candidate countries, members of the European Economic Area and other participating third countries.
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The Your Europe – Business is an online portal for multilingual practical information and government services for companies looking for business in another EU country. It offers advice and information to entrepreneurs at each stage of their activity: starting, managing, expanding and closing down a business. The portal is provided jointly by the European Commission and national authorities.
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