SMEs in the EU

News and information about the European Union's policies for small and medium-sized businesses.

Need for COVID exit plans across Europe — 15 April 2020, 23:34 CET

EuroCommerce is pleased that the Commission has sought to propose a number of ideas on how Europe can gradually return to normal once the immediate danger of the COVID-19 pandemic has eased.

Joint statement EuroCommerce/UNI-Europa — 09 April 2020, 11:44 CET

The EU Social Partners in the retail and wholesale sector are working together to ensure the continued safety of its workforce who are interacting daily with European consumers, while working to avoid the present COVID-19 pandemic putting at risk the 29 million jobs in the sector in Europe.

Coronavirus: EC, EIB unlock EUR 8 bn finance for 100,000 SMEs — 08 April 2020, 00:26 CET

The Commission and European Investment Fund made available EUR 8 billion in financing Monday, to bring speedy cash relief to SMEs in Europe affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

Coronavirus: joint statement Copa-Cogeca, FoodDrinkEurope, EuroCommerce — 27 March 2020, 00:16 CET

Copa-Cogeca, FoodDrinkEurope and EuroCommerce represent the core actors in the European food supply chain: farmers and agri-cooperatives, food and drink manufacturers, and wholesale and retail distribution.

Coronavirus: EU approves UK SME support schemes — 27 March 2020, 00:52 CET

The EU Commission on Thursday approved two separate UK State aid schemes to support small and medium-sized enterprises in the context of the coronavirus outbreak.

Coronavirus: EU set to relax state aid rules to support Europe's economy — 17 March 2020, 18:25 CET

The EU Commission sent a proposal to Member States Monday for a temporary state aid framework to support Europe's businesses in the context of the shocks the corona virus is causing to the economy.

Statement of the European Social Partners on the COVID-19 emergency — 16 March 2020, 23:22 CET

The social partners urge the governments to approve measures

Retailers ask for rising card fees to be tackled in Interchange Fee Regulation — 13 March 2020, 21:45 CET

Commerce Director-General Christian Verschueren commented today on the publication of an Ernst & Young study for the European Commission on the effectiveness of the Interchange Fee Regulation (IFR) and the launch of its own report on retailers’ on-the-ground experience of the IFR’s application:

Support for SMEs needed to master Corona Crisis — 13 March 2020, 21:38 CET

President Alban Maggiar reacted positively on the COVID-19 crisis measures announced today by the European Commission and hopes that the Finance Ministers quickly adopt them.

Start-ups, SMEs take up EUR 344m EU research funding — 18 March 2020, 00:05 CET

The European Commission announced Thursday that 107 innovative projects from across Europe are to be supported with EUR 344 million through the EU's European Innovation Council pilot.

Circular economy needs harmonised approach across Europe and whole supply chain involved — 11 March 2020, 18:32 CET

Responding to the Commission Circular Economy Action Plan published today, EuroCommerce Director-General Christian Verschueren underlined the retail and wholesale sector’s support for the plan’s objective of for speeding up the transition to a circular economy:

SME strategy: SMEs lack systemic change in policy making — 10 March 2020, 22:36 CET

In a first reaction to the SME Strategy, SMEunited acknowledges that the strategy develops a very clear picture on the challenges SMEs face, however falls short in creating a gamechanger in policy making.

New EU strategy to decarbonise Europe's economy — 11 March 2020, 17:40 CET

The EU Commission unveiled a new industrial strategy for Europe Tuesday to help industry's transitions towards climate neutrality and digitalisation, and boost its competitiveness and strategic autonomy.

European Industrial Strategy Package - background guide — 10 March 2020, 18:23 CET

The European Commission presented on 10 March a new Strategy to help Europe's industry lead the twin transitions towards climate neutrality and digital leadership.

Industrial Strategy: don't forget services, competition in the EU - and consumers — 10 March 2020, 17:58 CET

Commenting today on the Commission package of the Industrial Strategy, strengthening the single market and on SMEs, EuroCommerce Director-General welcomed the concrete steps proposed, but added some thoughts on how to ensure that the Commission ideas were successful in making the whole EU economy globally competitive:

SMEs Call for Economic Support due to COVID-19 Impact — 06 March 2020, 12:41 CET

Following the outbreak of the corona virus in Europe and measures taken to contain the spread, SMEunited is receiving information from members indicating already a disastrous impact on some sectors in the economy, especially for SMEs.

Climate Law: More focus on SMEs needed — 05 March 2020, 23:37 CET

Following the presentation of the new Climate Law, SMEunited approves of the key principles underpinning the Commission’s activity to reach climate neutrality at the latest by 2050.

Brussels reaches data-sharing agreement with Airbnb, Booking on short-term lets — 10 March 2020, 18:35 CET

A landmark agreement with Airbnb, Booking and others on data sharing, reached Thursday by the EU Commission, will allow Eurostat to publish data on their short-stay accommodations across the EU.

Wholesalers key to Europe's economy — 04 March 2020, 00:48 CET

EuroCommerce today launched its report "Wholesale at the Centre of Europe’s Economy" setting out wholesalers' key contribution to making the European economy work.

Green Deal: Success lies in SMEs — 26 February 2020, 00:18 CET

The Green Deal will be successful if it creates the right conditions for new business opportunities for SMEs.

Retail and wholesale see EU Digital Strategy as a positive step towards European competitiveness — 20 February 2020, 17:38 CET

EuroCommerce Director-General Christian Verschueren, speaking on the launch of the European Digital Strategy by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager and Commissioner Thierry Breton, underlined the many positive elements in the Commission communication:

The European Union deserves a future proofed budget — 19 February 2020, 17:05 CET

Ahead of the extraordinary European Council on the next Multiannual Financial Framework, SMEunited President Alban Maggiar reminds European leaders on the priorities ahead. Europe will only be able to provide welfare to its people, if it invests in future competitiveness, based on a greener and digital economy. Therefore, President Maggiar asks the European Council to agree on a budget framework able to deliver on these priorities.

Mifid II - EU mulls changes to investor protection rules — 19 February 2020, 00:29 CET

The EU Commission opened a consultation Monday on changes in investor protection in the Markets in Financial Instruments directive (Mifid), which sets out rules for European securities markets.

EASME - Executive Agency for SMEs — 17 February 2020, 22:14 CET

The Executive Agency for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (EASME) has been set-up by the European Commission to manage on its behalf several EU programmes in the fields of SME support & innovation, environment, climate action, energy and maritime affairs.

Just Transition Fund welcomed by SMEs — 15 January 2020, 18:42 CET

In a first reaction on yesterday's proposal to establish a "Just Transition Fund", SMEunited President Alban Maggiar supports the general approach put forward by the European Commission.