SMEs in the EU

Latest news about Small and Medium-sized Enterprises policy in the European Union.

The European Commission has developed and implements a range of policy measures specifically to assist SMEs in Europe. These policies are aimed at creating the conditions in which small firms can be created and can thrive. If the EU is to achieve its goals of speeding up economic growth and creating more and better jobs, it will be SMEs which play the biggest role. In particular, SMEs are the main source of new jobs in Europe.

FACT SHEETS

General Information

• The "Small Business Act" for Europe

Funding and Innovation

• EU Funding for SMEs
• Borrowing Environment in the EU
• More Risk Capital: equity funding
• Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme

Support Services across Europe

 European Enterprise Network

 SOLVIT

 'Your Europe' - Business Portal

LATEST NEWS

MEPs back fresh EU money for low-carbon technologies — 11 March 2010, 23:52 CET

Euro-MPs have approved fresh EU funding for the development of innovative low-carbon technologies to help cut greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2020.

European Parliament takes strong line on SEPA value for payment users — 11 March 2010, 00:34 CET

EuroCommerce warmly welcomes the adoption of the resolution on the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) by the European Parliament today.

EU Small Businesses Celebrate EP Decision to Exempt Micro-Entities from EU Accounting Burdens — 11 March 2010, 00:29 CET

The European Small Business Alliance welcomes today’s decision by the European Parliament to adopt the Commission’s proposal to exempt micro entities from certain EU accounting burdens. The exemption is the first real EU effort specifically aimed at micro-businesses and can be seen as the ‘flagship’ of the EUs overall commitment to reduce administrative burdens by 25% by 2010. The measure is estimated to account for savings of EUR 6.3 billion EU-wide, and is a major step towards achieving this 25% goal.

Parliament’s OK to accounting exemptions 'a step back for the internal market' — 11 March 2010, 00:24 CET

UEAPME, the European craft and SME employers’ organisation, criticised today the European Parliament for giving the green light to a deceptive proposal on accounting exemptions, which is unlikely to live up to its claimed cost reduction potential but will decrease transparency and create an uneven playing field between businesses operating in different Member States. Further to MEPs’ vote, Member States could exempt micro-companies with limited liability status from having to draw up and publish annual accounts. According to UEAPME and contrary to some claims, this will not generate a net cost reduction since micro-entities will have to keep filing accounts anyway for national administrations, banks, suppliers and customers. Moreover, red tape will be displaced rather than reduced, as MEPs allowed Member States to add further unspecified obligations to exempted micro-companies. UEAPME therefore recommended simplifying the existing harmonised accounting rules as a more viable alternative and called on the Council to reject the current proposal.

Scientists and SMEs join forces to fight influenza — 11 March 2010, 00:30 CET

Researchers and industrialists from Europe and abroad have clinched EUR 18 million in EU support for their collaboration on projects targeting influenza. In total, 52 research institutes and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from 18 European countries, as well as China, Israel and the US will work together on 4 projects to determine how influenza virus genes migrate, and how they pose a serious threat to the well-being of humans and animals. In less than a decade, the Commission has earmarked more than EUR 100 million for research on influenza.

Parliament wants to reduce red tape for small firms — 11 March 2010, 16:35 CET

Very small companies could be exempted from having to draw up annual accounts, following approval by the European Parliament of changes to EU accounting rules. Voting in the 10 March plenary, MEPs said it would be up to each Member State to grant such exemptions, depending on the impact the directive would have in that country. Companies would in any case still have to keep records of their business transactions and financial situation.

Euro-MPs urge EU rethink on competition policy — 11 March 2010, 23:50 CET

A resolution adopted by the EP today, 9 March, highlights the need to assess the effectiveness of Member States' state-aid activities during the crisis, scale back the protectionist reflexes that it triggered and update EU competition rules, inter alia by revisiting the "fines only" policy. The EP lists on-line advertising, and the telecoms, pharmaceuticals and dairy sectors as areas needing further action.

5+1 business proposals to make Europe 2020 work — 04 March 2010, 22:10 CET

The five targets outlined in the Europe 2020 strategy presented by the European Commission on 3 March represent a sound business plan to enhance the EU’s growth and competitiveness in the years to come.

e-Skills Week — 26 February 2010, 12:02 CET

The first ever European e-Skills Week highlights the growing demand for skilled ICT users and professionals to drive a competitive and innovative Europe. The campaign aims to inform students, young professionals and SMEs about the vast range of opportunities that ICT-related jobs present. The European e-Skills Week 2010 is expected to involve 300,000 participants in more than 100 activities. The events will take place across Europe with more than 20 participating countries.

SMEs deeply concerned by Parliament Committee's vote on maternity leave — 24 February 2010, 00:32 CET

UEAPME, the European craft and SME employers’ organisation, was left deeply concerned by today’s vote on the revised maternity leave directive at the European Parliament’s Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality.

SEPA: Broad range of stakeholders beginning to see huge problems — 24 February 2010, 00:15 CET

SEPA (the Single European Payments Area) risks being a massive failure unless key issues are resolved, particularly regarding the security of the Direct Debit scheme and the fact that the representatives of the banks, in the form of the European Payments Council (EPC), do not take into account the needs or wishes of any of the end-users, including consumers or businesses (retailers, services providers, SMEs).

The Understanding China training programme 2010 launched! — 18 February 2010, 23:42 CET

30 employees of business intermediary organisations from across Europe can become experts on China, thanks to the “Understanding China” training programme

Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection — 17 February 2010, 13:20 CET

Responsibilities, contacts and latest studies of the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection

Starting a business in Israel — 12 February 2010, 16:41 CET

This World Bank site provides information about the procedures and costs associated with starting a business in Israel.

Starting a business in Ukraine — 11 February 2010, 16:23 CET

This World Bank site provides information about the procedures and costs associated with starting a business in Ukraine.

Starting a business in Belarus — 10 February 2010, 21:22 CET

This World Bank site provides information about the procedures and costs associated with starting a business in Belarus.

Starting a business in Moldova — 09 February 2010, 11:28 CET

This World Bank site provides information about the procedures and costs associated with starting a business in Moldova.

Changes to international lease accounting standards may impact the cost and availability of finance for Europe’s small businesses — 09 February 2010, 00:11 CET

Leaseurope, the European leasing industry's representative body, has today called for businesses and policy makers across Europe to review the latest plans of the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) that will lead to a drastic change in existing lease accounting requirements.

Starting a business in Kosovo — 08 February 2010, 21:36 CET

This World Bank site provides information about the procedures and costs associated with starting a business in Kosovo.

Starting a business in Montenegro — 05 February 2010, 15:31 CET

This World Bank site provides information about the procedures and costs associated with starting a business in Montenegro.

EU Project: Development of Rural Business — 05 February 2010, 15:29 CET

The EU assistance programme has assisted SME development mainly through advisory support for enterprise restructuring and privatisation, and for development of business support services.

Starting a business in Bosnia and Herzegovina — 04 February 2010, 13:08 CET

This World Bank site provides information about the procedures and costs associated with starting a business in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Services Directive properly implemented in only one third of member states: EUROCHAMBRES survey — 02 February 2010, 23:11 CET

A EUROCHAMBRES survey conducted among Chambers of Commerce throughout the EU shows that only 9 out of the 27 member states complied fully with the Services Directive by the 28 December 2009 deadline. Implementation in the remaining 18 countries is average or unsatisfactory because of problems or delays with legal and/or operational aspects.

Starting a business in Albania — 02 February 2010, 22:09 CET

This World Bank site provides information about the procedures and costs associated with starting a business in Albania.

OSEC Export Step-by-Step guide — 02 February 2010, 20:45 CET

Working on behalf of the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs, part of Osec’s remit is to act as the official body for promoting Swiss exports, helping SMEs from Switzerland and Liechtenstein get a foothold in international markets.