Finance boost for SMEs - EUbusinessWeek 520
EUbusiness Week 520 top stories: Putin puts foot down in Brussels over EU gas; EU urges more anti-corruption efforts in Romania, Bulgaria; EU agrees to allow traces of GM crops in EU animal feed; Italy's Draghi a good ECB candidate: German bank head; Eurozone business activity highest since 2006: survey; One in six live in over- crowded homes in Europe
This Week's Top Stories
1. Putin puts foot down in Brussels over EU gas
2. EU urges more anti-corruption efforts in Romania, Bulgaria
3. EU agrees to allow traces of GM crops in EU animal feed
4. Europe to unveil new bank stress tests in March
5. Eurozone business activity highest since 2006: survey
6. One in six live in overcrowded homes in Europe
Publisher's Note
The Commission has released a review of the Small Business Act for
Europe, its package to help smaller businesses, with some new measures
to help them invest and grow.
Small business bodies welcomed a focus on improving access to
finance for SMEs through a strengthened loan guarantee scheme, as well a
plan to improve access to venture capital and capital markets and to
improve matching of offers and requests of venture capital within the
Enterprise Europe Network.
SMEs represent more than 99% of all businesses and employ more
than 90 million in Europe. As the engine of our economy, they must be
kept strong, competitive and innovative.
More ...
Regards,
Nick Prag
Publisher, EUbusiness
EUROFFICE
Euroffice, the UK's largest supplier of stationery and office supplies
online, selling to the UK and Italy - have sold to over 220,000 small
businesses and will not be beaten on price.
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1. Putin puts foot down in Brussels over EU gas
Russian premier Vladimir Putin tore into the EU Thursday over new laws
banning state-owned Gazprom from controlling pipelines pumping gas into
the world's biggest individual market.
More ...
Nabucco pipeline still in limbo
2. EU urges more anti-corruption efforts in Romania, Bulgaria
Romania and Bulgaria have made strides in their efforts to fight
corruption and reform their judiciaries but still have a way to go
before meeting EU standards, says the Commission.
More ...
3. EU agrees to allow traces of GM crops in EU animal feed
Crops containing tiny traces of genetically modified produce will be
allowed to enter the European food chain for the first time under plans
approved by EU governments Tuesday and attacked by environmental
campaigners.
More ...
4. Europe to unveil new bank stress tests in March
The European Union will announce a new round of bank tests to determine
their financial health on March 2 after last year's results were
criticised for failing to spot a huge black hole at Irish lenders.
More ...
5. Eurozone business activity highest since 2006: survey
Eurozone manufacturing and service activity in February hit levels last
seen in July 2006 but inflation, an increasing concern, also jumped
sharply, a closely watched survey shows.
More ...
6. One in six live in overcrowded homes in Europe
One in six people live in overcrowded homes in Europe, with many living
without indoor flushing toilets or showers in former Communist states,
EU figures showed on Wednesday.
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EUROPEAN CASE LAW
Croatia: Croatian President Ivo Josipovic says the UN war crimes court
is blocking the final phase of his country's EU path over Zagreb's past
mistakes.
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Hungary vote on media law changes maybe Monday
Latest Court of Justice judgements
EU Law ...
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Inside the EU Institutions
Council Watch
Libya: Italy clamoured for help Thursday to face a looming Libya exodus
of unparalleled proportions but failed to bring all its EU partners
onside despite warning of a potential tsunami of up to 1.5 million
migrants and refugees.
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Turkey wants to attend EU summits, liberal visa regime
EU may give Irish voters rude awakening on bailout
Council ...
Commission Watch
Mediterranean: Europe rethinks relations with its southern Mediterranean
rim this week, sending its top diplomat to Egypt and reassessing aid
priorities to avoid being seen as turning a blind eye to authoritarian
regimes.
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EU bemoans lack of job applicants from Britain
EU calls for Philippines free trade pact
Commission ...
Euro-Parliament Watch
This week was set aside for MEPs to work in their constituencies or to
take part in interparliamentary meetings outside the EU or other working
visits. These included EP delegations meeting their counterparts in
Turkey and South Africa, as well as joining a meeting of the Northern
Dimension Parliamentary Forum in Tromso, Norway.
More ...
EU diary
24-25 Feb, Defence Ministers Meeting (Informal)
24-25 Feb, Justice and Home Affairs Council
28 Feb, Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council
7-19 Mar, European Parliament Plenary Session
11 Mar, Informal eurozone summit
The Week Ahead
Long-term diary
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Other news on EUbusiness this week
Greece to draw up list of state assets for sale 24-FebEU economic reform plan too timid: ECB 23-Feb
Bulgaria mulls 'financial pact' to buttress stability 22-Feb
Poland expects no labour exodus to Germany 22-Feb
EU ready to loan EUR 6bn to southern Arab neighbours 22-Feb