ESBA welcomes the adoption of the report on Small and Medium Size Enterprises (SMEs): competitiveness and business opportunities

Yesterday, the European Parliament, assembled in Plenary sitting, adopted the report by Dr Paul Rübig MEP (EPP, AT) on SME competitiveness and business opportunities.

The report urges European and national lawmakers to improve the regulatory environment for small businesses. The report mentions, among others, a continuation of the Commission's administrative burden reduction programme, the evaluation of SME support programmes, and a roadmap for competitive SME taxation. Furthermore, the report asks the Member States to justify any provisions that are implemented on top of EU legislation.

ESBA President David Caro said:

"The report is a strong signal to the European Commission and national governments that much remains to be done to improve the business climate in the EU, especially for the smallest companies. The European Parliament took an important step yesterday by adopting this report, a report that contains many measures that have the potential to simplify the lives of entrepreneurs, kick-start their ability to grow, and provide the jobs Europe is craving for. Five years after the start of the European Crisis, small businesses are still struggling to survive. Although the Rübig report is an important step in the right direction, its value stands or falls with the actions of the European Commission and the Member States, which is why ESBA urges the Institutions to take urgent action now".

ounded in 1998 by eight independent national small business associations, The European Small Business Alliance (ESBA) is a non-party political group, which cares for small business entrepreneurs and the self-employed and represents them through targeted EU advocacy and profiling activities. ESBA also works towards the development of strong independent advocacy and benefits groups in European countries. ESBA's new website, which provides an innovative approach to communication amongst business organizations, reflects these three main fields of activity.