EU SME strategy

Full attention must be given to SME needs in the design of the EU flagship initiatives: the single market for goods and services, the digital single market, the trade negotiations, the EU regulatory reform, etc. For BusinessEurope it is essential to support SMEs strongly.

This is why we welcomed the announcement by the European Commission of its intention to release a renewed EU SME strategy in March 2020. A comprehensive and action-oriented initiative is essential to improve the operating environment for SMEs and for the economic and social wellbeing of our societies.

With its strategy, the European Commission has an opportunity to shape the EU SME policy to bolster the number of vibrant SMEs in the EU, and to help them fully grasp the opportunities and respond robustly to the challenges brought by a rapidly changing business environment.

The EU strategy for SMEs should build on the achievements of the Small Business Act (SBA), an overarching framework for the EU SME policy which delivered a number of encouraging outcomes. However, the priorities outlined in the SBA should be updated by taking account of the new needs of SMEs.

Publications

Position papers Date
Revision of the late payment directive - a BusinessEurope position paper 15/03/2023
The new EU SME strategy: 50 actions to make it work 06/02/2020
Setting ambitious goals for the future SME policy 19/02/2019
Declaration of European SME Envoys and business organisations on the visibility of European support for SMEs in the next Multi-annual Financial Framework (MFF) 13/04/2018
Proposed amendment to VAT treatment of SMEs 20/03/2018
Revision of the EU definition of SMEs: key elements for a sound approach - BusinessEurope position paper 07/11/2017
Interim evaluation of COSME, the EU programme for SME competitiveness - BusinessEurope's comments 30/06/2017
Special scheme for small enterprises under the VAT directive - BusinessEurope's reply to the public consultation 20/03/2017
BusinessEurope’s response to the Commission consultation under the Start-up Initiative 20/07/2016
A horizontal EU SME policy - Joint declaration by BusinessEurope, UEAPME, EUROCHAMBRES, EuroCommerce, CEEP and copa-cogeca 05/04/2016
Unleashing the growth and job-creation potential of SMEs - a BusinessEurope strategy paper 15/12/2014
Preparation of a European Commission Green Action Plan for SMEs - BusinessEurope contribution to the European Commission online consultation 10/12/2013
BusinessEurope's comments on the Commission discussion paper (July 2013) on further developing the EU SME policy 30/08/2013
Entrepreneurship 2020 action plan - BusinessEurope response to the European Commission questionnaire 01/10/2012
BusinessEurope position on the Commission proposed programme on competitiveness of enterprise and SMEs (COSME) 04/04/2012
Press releases Date
Make Better Regulation work better for SMEs! 29/11/2022
Business needs an EU SME Envoy without delay 18/11/2021
EU industrial and SME strategies: getting real economy back on track 10/03/2020
Business organisations voice strong support for a new EU SME Strategy 12/09/2019
Fresh initiatives needed to support SMEs 19/02/2019
EU needs stronger policy for small and medium-sized enterprises 18/11/2015
We need a renewed and strengthened EU policy for crafts and SMEs - Joint statement by BusinessEurope and UEAPME 18/11/2015
Europe must unleash the entrepreneurial potential of its citizens 09/01/2013
Reports and studies Date
Making Better Regulation work better for SMEs - The SME Test benchmark 2022 29/11/2022
TTIP – What's in it for small and medium-sized enterprises 22/01/2015
Speeches Date
Single market for SMEs: operating in global value chains and the importance of compliance, enforcement and surveillance - Speech by Marta Marti at the Single Market Forum 2016/2017 closing conference 19/06/2017
COSME interim evaluation - Speaking points for Daniel Cloquet at the European Commission workshop 31/05/2017
Transfers of SMEs in Europe: taking stock of progress of European policy and preparing for the challenges ahead – Speaking points for Marta Marti Carrera at the TRANSEO summit on SME transfers 24/05/2016
What future for EU SME policy? - Speaking points by Marta Marti Carrera at the SME round table organised by the EESC Employers' Group 05/04/2016
A renewed single market strategy - Address by Marta Marti Carrera at the meeting of the SME Envoys network 22/09/2015
The Green Employment Initiative: tapping into the job creation potential of the green economy - Contribution by Daniel Cloquet at the European Parliament Employment Committee hearing 24/03/2015
BusinessEurope vision of EU policy for entrepreneurship in regions of Europe - Presentation by Daniel Cloquet at the LDDK conference "Entrepreneurship in regions to strengthen the European Union competitiveness", Cesis (Latvia) 18/02/2015
A revised Small Business Act (SBA) supporting growth through enterprise - Address by Marta Marti Carrera at the European SME Assembly, Naples 03/10/2014
Meeting of the SME Envoys Network, Madrid - Comments by Marta Marti 06/06/2014
Public letters Date
Revision of the European Small Business Act (SBA) - Joint letter to Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission 09/04/2015

Contact

Daniele Olivieri

Senior Adviser
Tel:
+32 2 237 65 48
Last updated: 26 February 2020