At the Tripartite Social Summit, SMEunited called on EU leaders to deliver a bold growth strategy to relaunch the European economy.
Speaking on behalf of Europe’s 34 million SMEs, President Galli highlighted four priorities for entrepreneurs: reducing regulatory burden, restoring ownership of their liquidity, an MFF that supports investment and skills, and a Single Market that allows businesses to grow and trade across borders.
“Europe should show trust in entrepreneurs, reduce burdens, and create the conditions that allow small businesses to invest, innovate, and grow. If we want to relaunch the European economy, SMEs must be at the centre of the plan”, stated President Galli.
Mr Galli called for an end to the regulatory crisis that SMEs face. Despite some progress in this area, the reality on the ground has not changed. Mr Galli asked for greater trust in entrepreneurs as well as concrete burden reduction, including quickly advancing the omnibus proposals and ending gold-plating.
Furthermore, Mr Galli stressed that the Multiannual Financial Framework must deliver for SMEs. He called on negotiators to find a balance and finalise the discussions on the next EU budget before the end of the year. The MFF must ensure SMEs can invest, face the twin transition, and grow. To that end, EU institutions should allocate 20% of the funds to SME tools and projects.
Secretary General Véronique Willems echoed concerns about regulatory burden during the discussion and called for legislative restraint. She identified the new packaging rules as a major source of burden and legal uncertainty for SMEs, particularly when trading across borders. The Environmental Omnibus must now be adopted before the end of the month.
On employment policy, Ms Willems emphasised that the upcoming Quality Jobs Act must not introduce additional obligations for SME employers.
Finally, Mr Galli stressed that future initiatives must put the ‘Think Small First’ principle into practice. SMEs must be able to focus on delivering quality products to consumers. As they already operate under a strict framework, which ensures consumers benefit from healthy and safe products, any upcoming proposal, such as the Digital Fairness Act and the Product Act, should ensure simplicity, feasibility, and proportionality. If new rules create unnecessary burden and overlapping rules, they will contradict the shared goals of greater productivity and competitiveness.
“Less burden. Better investment. A Single Market that works for businesses and consumers. These are the conditions SMEs require to contribute to a stronger and more competitive Europe. As a social partner, we are ready to make this relaunch a reality”, concluded President Galli.
