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SMEs across Europe focus on day present and after

28 April 2020
by smeunited -- last modified 28 April 2020

During a Board of Directors e-meeting on Friday 24 April, SMEunited gathered the views of Board members across Europe on the SME business environment in this COVID-19 crisis. Entrepreneurs are handling the day present, however already look forward to the day after as well.


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President Maggiar noted down concerns of Crafts and SMEs in Europe, but could also notice sparkles of hope.

At the moment SMEs focus on ensuring the needed liquidity to keep the company afloat. In this challenge, President Maggiar reiterates "SMEs encounter disturbing behaviour of banks, applying high interest rates, high dossier fees and complex loan applications". Moreover, many SMEs are faced with late payments by public authorities and business contacts, creating an extra obstacle to increase liquidity. Being creative, Board members raised possibilities to put a moratorium on rent due and count on delay in payments with public creditors. They also look to insurances for compensation. Moving towards deconfinement, SMEs look into sound sanitary measures to be implemented in a cost-efficient manner.

Looking to the "day after", President Maggiar concluded that his colleagues put their trust in a fully functioning Single Market. Additionally, he listed "SMEs raise the importance of innovation and warn for the impact of reimbursement of loans taken on the investment capacity of SMEs". Moreover, he noticed a call for solidarity and warning against protectionism. An unprecedented investment to kick-start economy must be made, at European, and also at national and regional level.

SMEunited continues collecting the views of Crafts and SMEs across Europe and will build together with the European Institutions the economy after the crisis.

SMEunited, formally known as UEAPME, is the association of crafts and SMEs in Europe with around 70 member organisations from over 30 European countries. SMEunited is a recognised employers' organisation and European Social Partner and acts on behalf of crafts and SMEs in the European Social Dialogue and in discussions with the EU institutions.

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