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State of the EU: Time to make speeches a reality

09 September 2021
by smeunited -- last modified 09 September 2021

Ahead of the State of the Union by European Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen, European SMEs call to boost the recovery to support the twin transition. A better regulatory environment and skills development are prerequisites for SMEs' competitiveness.


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- EU institutions must guarantee that the implementation of National Recovery and Resilience Plans, includes a) the necessary reforms to improve investment attractiveness, b) the quality of public services and c) the efficiency of administrations.

- Regarding the ambitious 'Fit for 55' package, Crafts and SMEs urge the EU legislators to ensure competitiveness, a level playing field and certainty for investors to encourage innovation.

- Life-long learning and continuous training are key factors to increase the employability of people and the competitiveness of companies. Training programmes are best designed and implemented in close cooperation with social partners with a clear link to the labour market needs.

- On the use of digital technologies, SMEunited raises the issue of fairness when it comes to relations with digital platforms. Concretely, SMEs' access to data is a precondition to compete and embrace the full potential of the digital market.

- Finally, SMEunited reiterates the importance of Smart regulation. New regulatory burdens will hold back the recovery and hinder an effective transition to a green and digital economy. The bureaucratic burden of every proposal should be analysed systematically, making use of the SME test, and applying the 1-in-1-out principle.

SMEunited President Alban Maggiar summarised: "We must use the recovery plans to remodel the EU economy for the green and digital transition. Policy measures must strengthen the capacity of SMEs to innovate and invest. They must avoid new regulatory burden to allow for a successful recovery and transition. The ambitious European goals are made reality on the ground by SMEs. Crafts & SMEs are the heart of Europe. We must provide them with the appropriate framework and give them the chance and resources to put these objectives into practice."

SMEunited, formerly 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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