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| Newsletter January/February 2006 |
| Upcoming Events |
| Service and Information |
| Latest Events |
| SME Lex |
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Dear Members of the SME UNION, dear friends of SMEs,
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"The World of Micro-Enterprises: let them start, grow, innovate and employ!" has been chosen as the SME UNION topic of the year 2006. We are at the beginning of a very important year for our organisation and for SMEs in general.
Ten years ago, on 12 January 1996, the statutes of the SME UNION were signed and the organisation recognised as EPP association. After a decade of politics and struggle in favour of the SMEs and their development as basic point of the internal market mechanism, we are glad to begin a very prosper 2006, which started with the Budapest conference organised together with our Hungarian member organisation KKVE. We will be celebrating our 10 anniversary in Rome at the end of March together with the EPP Congress which coincides with the EPP 30 years anniversary.
The “sleeping giant”, as European Council President Schüssel called SMEs, is in the centre of the Austrian Presidency program, recognising their important role in the development of the Lisbon strategy for growth and jobs. Many EU policies are presently focused on SMEs, therefore the SME UNION together with the SME Circle presented to the Austrian Presidency a petition on SME issues in order to raise awareness on specific encountered problems.
A lot has been done especially for the negotiations on the Services Directive. A whole package of actions and information was elaborated by the SME UNION and friends in this context starting with an open letter sent to the Financial Times, mentioning the Declaration on the Services Directive of the SME ad hoc Working Group, organising several information events and publishing the Resolution on the Services Directive of the SME UNION Political Bureau. Yet our work does not stop here. A lot of communication work has to be done in February, considering the European Parliament will do the first read of the project, and for this I ask all of you for your support within your national parties and national SMEs in order to reach better understanding on this important piece of the Lisbon Strategy. We have the duty to inform all involved parties about the possibilities and benefits opened for SMEs by the Services Directive.
Entrepreneurial spirit and competitiveness are not goals in themselves but the decisive prerequisite for employment, prosperity and the amelioration of our European Model. Bearing this in mind, we start with full energy our working year 2006 and looking forward to cooperating with our members, partners and friends all over Europe.
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2006-03-08, Brussels, “Who’s afraid of the Polish plumber? The Road ahead for the single market in services”
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The Friends of Europe think-tank if organising a cross fire evening debate on the labour mobility. The topic will be focused on the ‘Bolkestein directive’ for creating a single EU marketplace for services. The debate will be divided in two issues, between widespread recognition that services are the lifeblood of the European economy and fears that employment in the traditional craft sectors will be steadily whittled away by low-range competition.
Further information |
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2006-03-07, Brussels, “Seminar: Is globalisation an opportunity or a threat to Europe’s social cohesion?”
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The smallbusiness|europe is organising its fifth annual event with a theme on the globalisation and the European social model. A special contribution will be done by Mr Peter Mandelson, European Commissioner for External Trade, together with different representatives of the European Commission, Parliament or national State or enterprise representatives. The seminar will be followed by a reception at the residence of Sir John Grant, UK Permanent Representative to the EU.
Further information |
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2006-03-16/17, Brussels, 4th European Business Summit
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Under the High Patronage of H.M. King Albert II and the patronage of José Manuel Barosso, President of the European Commission, the European Business summit has become the key meeting place for leading business people and European policy makers who want to build a more competitive and innovative Europe. The SME UNION is one of the supporters, therefore all members willing to attend the event can benefit of special participation fee.
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2006-03-16, Munich, “Munich International Trade Fair on Crafts”
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The GHM (Gesellschaft für Handwerksmessen) organises from 16 to 20 March the international trade fair on crafts focused on SMEs, one of the most important annual meetings in the craft sector. For 2006 a new organising concept was developed, providing a clearer structure of the trade fair as a forum and creating synergies at the same time. The SME Circle is going to organise in cooperation witg tge SME UNION a tour and a discussion panel on this occasion.
Further information
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2006-03-29/31, Rome, SME UNION 10th Anniversary Events
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The SME UNION is celebrating its 10th anniversary and 30 years of SME policy within the EPP. Different events will be organised in the framework of the EPP Congress that takes place in Rome between the 29 and 31 March.
The Anniversary's celebration will start with the SME UNION Dinner Reception on Wednesday 29 March from 20.00h, the SME Circle and SME UNION visit to local craft and industries on Thursday 30 March will take place from 09.00 to 12.30, followed by an SME UNION Lunch from 12.30 to 13.30h. The main event, the 10 Years Anniversary Political Bureau Meeting on Thursday 30 March will take place from 13.30 to 15.30. Both lunch and the SME UNION Political Bureau meeting will take place in the Hotel Hilton Cavalieri in Rome on the Monte Mario.
This will be a great event to attend, with great discussion opportunities, not only for the wonderful city of Rome, but especially because, beside the participation of the European Commission President José Manuel Barroso, Austrian Chancellor and President of the European Council Wolfgang Schüssel or Ex-German Chancellor Helmut Kohl, already 18 Prime Ministers confirmed their participation together with the whole EPP/EPP-ED family. For the celebration of the SME UNION 10th anniversary a special book will be published, any personal comments can be added until 14 February.
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2006-03-30/31, Rome, EPP Congress and 30 years Anniversary
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The EPP has come a long way since its inception as a transnational party of European Christian Democrats. 30 years later, the EPP boasts 68 Christian democrat, reform and conservative member parties from 35 European countries and is the most influential political party in all major European institutions: 11 heads of government in the European Council, 9 Commissioners including the President, and the largest Group in the European Parliament with 264 members. The Rome Congress will be the ultimate political event of 2006 in Europe and will set the stage for new momentum in the European project.
Further information
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Service and Information |
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EU Budget 2007-2013 rejected by European Parliament
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The agreement reached by the heads of government last December was rejected by the European Parliament in its plenary session of 18 January 2006. The MEPs, calling for negotiations over the level of provisions for 2007-2009, considered that the present draft does not guarantee an EU budget enhancing prosperity, competitiveness, solidarity, cohesion and security in the future, harmonized with the policies decided by the Council itself. However, the European Parliament welcomes the reach of an agreement that furnishes a base for negotiations. Different meetings are foreseen for the end of January between President Borell, President Barosso and Chancellor Schüssel, in the hope to find an agreement by spring of 2006.
Further information
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SMEs, the Sleeping Giant: Austrian Presidency focuses on SMEs
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On 18 January 2006 Austrian Chancellor Wolfgang Schüssel addressed the European Parliament presenting the objectives of the Austrian Presidency. The President of the European Council underlined the necessity of focusing the attention particularly on the questions of security and energy supply, support for SMEs, growth and jobs, the services directive, the financial perspective and the European Constitution. The promotion of SMEs represents the central issue of the presidency’s program, as Chancellor Schüssel pointed out. His experience in the field serving over a decade as Secretary General of the Austrian SME UNION Wirtschaftsbund made him conclude, as far as SMEs are concerned, “they are, if anything, the only real engine for job creation in Europe, they are the generators”. Therefore, the Presidency makes a priority of its program to ensure SMEs better access to capital, research and development and to funds from regional aid and structural programmes. The first three months of the Presidency, until the March Summit, will be dedicated “to creating growth and jobs in order to give Europe fresh impetus.”
Further information
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European Commission launches consultation on future of patent policy
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For the creation of an EU-wide system of protection for a better appreciation of the stakeholders needs, the Commission launched a consultation asking industry and other stakeholders about their views on the future patent policy and what measures should be taken for its improvement. The consultation regards three major points: the Community patent, how the current patent system in Europe could be improved and possible areas for harmonisation. A hearing if foreseen for the 13 June 2006 in Brussels based on the answers of the stakeholders.
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Positive outcome on flexible working time survey
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The European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions ran a survey on a large scale representative sample on the outcomes of flexible working conditions. The survey results reveal a positive reaction both from managers and employees, including a higher degree of satisfaction, better adaptation of working hours to the work load and lower absenteeism. The study report will be published in April 2006.
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Gate2Growth: new self-assessment tool for SMEs
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Following the success of the on-line self-assessment tool SAT-Light, an extensive version was published by the European Commission under the name of SAT-Pro. The program’s target is to help entrepreneurs to assess the impact of their business plans, in the purpose of attracting investments. The program is part of the InvestorNet network of venture capitalists, itself part of the Gate2Growth action, European business platform supported by the Commission.
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2006: The European Year of Workers’ Mobility
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The European Commission declared the year 2006 as the European Year for Mobility of Workers, aiming to raise awareness and increase understanding of the benefits in working abroad and new occupation. Because of legal, administrative and linguistic obstacles the percentage of workers’ mobility remained incredibly low and constant for the past 30 years. Funding programs are organised for mobility awareness raising projects, the organisation of major events and several studies on the impact of mobility. The official launch is programmed for February 2006.
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2005 Annual Commission Report on SME activities
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Following the relaunch of the partnership for growth and jobs, the European Commission presented a track record of the activities developed in 2005, organised on 8 chapters regarding the activity of DG Enterprises and more particular on micro-economic initiatives, the Single Market, Research, Rural Development, Information Society, Employment, Competition and on the activities associated with the implementation of the Macroeconomic Guidelines. Important steps were made in the sector of the European policy and programs for SMEs, like the creation of the portal “Your Europe” that comes to facilitate the mobility of enterprises, the creation of student “mini-companies”, comprehensive policy, home state taxation and others.
Further information |
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Annual Lisbon Strategy Report: “Time to move up a gear”
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On 25 January 2006 the European Commission published the new Annual Progress Report on the partnership between the EU and Member States for growth and jobs. The Report is structured on three sections containing an analysis of the National Reform Programs as submitted by each member state in October 2005, an identification of the strengths in different national programs with a view to promoting exchange of good ideas and, third, it highlights areas where there are shortcomings and proposes concrete action at EU and national level to deal with them. For SMEs, one of the Priority Action Areas was dedicated with different measures recommended for adoption by 2007, like: “one-stop shop” assistance, the cut by half of the average time to set up a business, entrepreneurship education, a system of measure for administrative burdens, the removal of the obligation to notify certain categories of small state aids. The report will be presented to the Spring European Council in March.
Further information
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European Comission launches newsletter on state aid
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In the context of the State Aid Action Plan to raise awareness of the EC Treaty’s rules, “State aid Weekly e-News” was launched as the new electronic newsletter sending out the activities of the Commission in the area of state aid. The Newsletter will cover especially the activities of four Directorates-General that deal with state aid issues: Competition, Transport and Energy, Agriculture and Fisheries.
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Verheugen: Promoting entrepreneurship and small businesses, key points for EU development
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Following the Austrian presidency program focusing on SMEs, it’s the turn of Gunter Verheugen, Commissioner for Enterprises and Industry, to make a point on the importance of SMEs and entrepreneurship for the development of EU economy. In an interview given to Financial Times he underlined the necessity to introduce entrepreneurship studies in schools and universities in order for students to get knowledge on how to set up a business and how to run a business. He equally made a comparison considering that “Europe lags behind the US, where entrepreneurs are seen as role models for youngsters, in promoting entrepreneurship and encouraging people to start their own company”.
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European Commission launches consultation on business environment
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In the context of the Lisbon strategy, the European Commission launched a public consultation in order to determine the best way to improve business environment. The enterprises and interested parties are invited to give feedback on identifying the administrative problems encountered on rules and procedures or compliances costs. The consultation closes on 31 January 2006 and the information will be gathered and distributed by Commission’s “Red Tape Observatory” to its responsible services.
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Less red tape = more growth: report on “minimising administrative costs imposed by legislation”
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Following European Commission’s Communication on Better Regulation for Growth and Jobs in the European Union, the European Parliament Employment and Social Affaires Committee is preparing its contribution to the main non legislative report that will be presented by Jan Mulder MEP, Budgetary Control Committee. In this context, on 26 January 2006 amendments, to the draft opinion on “minimising administrative costs imposed by legislation” of Ole Christensen MEP, were debated about transparency as centre point of better regulation and the employment of the principle of subsidiarity. The final report will be voted by the Parliament in July.
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SME UNION congratulates MEP Karas becoming leader of Austrian EPP-ED Delegation
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On 1 February 2006 the ÖVP delegation in the European Parliament unanimously elected its new leader in the person of Othmar Karas MEP, President of the SME Intergroup. We would like to congratulate as well, on his confirmation as Deputy-Chairman of the ÖVP Delegation, MEP Paul Rübig, former SME UNION President and President of SME Global.
Further information |
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German SME Circle: Report on German SME Program
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The PKM, the German SME Circle of the CDU/CSU representing the interests of SMEs, published a special report on the new governmental program for best economy development. SMEs should be helped with measures concerning company succession, founding, finance and taxes. Equally, costs for the public administration should be reduced by softening bureaucracy, the wage-cost-factor and energy costs should be reduced.
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ISS: Access granted to SMEs and EU new member states
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A new project under the FP6 was launched by the European Space Agency (ESA) that opens up the access of researchers from new member states, EU accession countries (Romania and Bulgaria) and SMEs to the “International Space Station: a unique research infrastructure”. Previously, experiments on ISS have been limited to researchers based in one of the ESA’s member countries, but the latest announcement of opportunity was enlarged for better development. In case of project success and over-subscription by high-quality project, further funding could be decided under the next framework programme FP7.
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2005-12-17, Belgrade, 3rd International Serbian SME Congress
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The 3rd International Balkan SME Congress organised by the SME Union Serbia in cooperation with the SME UNION of the EPP in December 2005 turned out to be a great success. The welcome regards held by the Serbian SME Union president Velimir Vukadin were followed by about 400 attendants. In his opening speech Peter Jungen, Co-President of the SME UNION, pointed out the importance of the conference within the accession negotiations of Serbia and the European Union as well as the economical progress in the country itself. In his keynote speech Deputy Prime Minister Mirolub Labus focused on the political and the economic stability of Serbia. He highlighted the government’s successes regarding the business framework for SMEs. More stability, lower commercial and non commercial risks, less administration and last but not least accession to the European Union should improve the working framework especially for small and medium sized enterprises. In his contribution Gerherd Jandl, Austrian ambassador in Serbia, confirmed the good achievements of the Serbian government. Furthermore he said that the Western Balkan will be one of the main topics of the Austrian presidency of the EU Council so that the vision of a full membership of Serbia and Montenegro could become true. |
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The first panel of the day on the topic of political stabilization in Serbia was disclosed by Peter Jungen. In his preliminary speech he said that the European Union is now standing on a cross road on which it has to think intensively about the future and therefore about enlargement. Milan Parivodic, Minister of International Economic Relations of Serbia spoke about the role of entrepreneurs, especially SMEs, regarding the creation of innovation and jobs and thus of wealth within the country. Further speakers at this panel were Tomaz Toplak, Vice-President of the SME UNION, Patrick Moulin, Secretary General of SME UNION France, Alessandra Bianchi, delegate from the SME UNION Italy and Christian Wehrschuetz from the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation. |
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In between Panel 1 and 2 Wolfgang Grossruck, Member of the Austrian Parliament gave a lecture on the main topics of the Austrian policy concerning Serbia. He started his speech with sending best regards from Wolfgang Schüssel, Austrian Chancellor, and Andreas Khol, Member of the Austrian Parliament. Going on he pointed out the good relationship between Austria and Serbia. He stated that Austria will give economical assistance to Serbia as well as helping Serbia to attract foreign investments. He also mentioned that the government itself has to provide a stable political environment so that the Austrian Presidency of the European Union with its focus on Balkan policy is able to do a favourable work for the future membership of Serbia into the European Union. |
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The second panel under the header “Attracting Investments and Strengthening the Finance Sector in the Balkans” moderated by Jasna Matic, Director of the Serbia Investment and Export Promotion Agency. Concerning the importance of infrastructure to investments Vlajko Senic, Deputy Minister of Trade, Tourism and Services presented the achievements of Serbia in that special area in the last few years. Radovan Jelasic, Governor of the National Bank of Serbia, reported on the importance of a well functioning financing and banking system (equity financing, venture and risk capital) and the need of a flexible labour market. The panel was completed by Blagoje Paunovic, President of the Institute of Serbian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, Simona Marzetti, Secretary General of INSME, Maren Diale-Schellschmidt, delegate of the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Pierre Dussol, Professor of Economics at Aix-Marseille University, Milos Tanaskovic, President of the Education Centre of the Serbian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises and Marko Ilic, President of AIESEC Serbia and Montenegro.
Presentation Miroljub Labus |
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2005-12-18, Hong Kong, SME Global President Rübig at WTO Conference
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SME Global President MEP Paul RÜBIG and the Delegation of the European Parliament are only partially satisfied with the results of the WTO-Conference. The main positive element is the fact that the Conference was able to agree on a document that calls for further negotiations on issues that have been unresolved for the last five years. Compared to the importance of the political, administrative and financial investment, the return in terms of influence on the process and visibility has not met the level of ambition. At this stage, there is a need to reassess fundamentally the way the European Parliament ensures its presence in the WTO Ministerial meetings.
Further information
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2006-01-19, Informal Social Affaires Council in Villach, Austria
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An Informal Council meeting was organised on the 19 and 20 January chaired by Federal Minister for Economics and Labour, Martin Bartenstein and Federal Minister for Social Security, Generations and Consumer Protection, Ursula Haubner. The two points of the agenda were “Flexicurity (promoting labour market flexibility and job security with social protection) and the social dimension of the Lisbon Strategy. SME UNION President Leitl participated at the Council meeting, with a contribution on Flexicurity, for the compatibility of the European Social model and the maintain of EU Competitiveness.
Presentation on Flexicurity
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SME Circle and SME UNION hand over SME resolution to Schüssel
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When SME UNION President Christoph Leitl held his inaugural visit at the SME Circle an the beginning of December in Brussels he learned that the SME Circle Members put a lot of expectations into the start of the Austrian EU Presidency. Leitl thus encouraged the SME Circle to put these expectations into a resolution addressed to the Austrian Chancellor and President of the European Council, Wolfgang Schüssel. |
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The resolution supports the Austrian efforts to strengthen the faith of the citizens in the EU and also welcomes the view of the new Presidency that the creation of jobs and growth is the key momentum for reaching this goal. In the document the SME Circle clearly highlights its policy priorities for the current semester in order to achieve a better legal environment for small and medium sized enterprises.
SME Petition to Austrian Presidency |
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26-27 January 2006, Budapest, Hungarian SMEs and their Outlook after EU Accession
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The SME Union Hungary (KKVE) annual conference took place on 27 of January 2006. This year’s motto was: “Hungarian SMEs and their Outlook after EU Accession”. It was organized under the patronage of Viktor Orbán, President of FIDESZ Hungarian Civic Party, Vice-President of the EPP. On the 26 of January 2006 the conference was preceded by a workshop for Hungarian and Central and Eastern European entrepreneurs. The objective of the workshop was to get acquainted and to exchange ideas and best practices. |
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The event was opened by the President of KKVE (Hungarian SME Union) - György Bisztray and Christoph Leitl, President of SME UNION of the EPP, who spoke about the opportunities of SMEs, as well as their difficulties and the issues concerning opening of the labour markets in Europe. The SME UNION family was represented by Patrick Moulin, Secretary General of SME Union of UMP France, President of SME Aerospace and Defence and Jerzy Samborski, Vice-President of SME UNION and President of SME Union Poland.
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The conference was attanded by: Péter Rejto, Trade Commissioner of Austrian Embassy Commercial Section, László Parragh, President of Hungarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Gábor Gérnyi, Head of Department of SME Development, Ministry of Economy and Transport, Zoltán Cséfalvay, Professor of the Andrássy University and Speaker of the Economic Consultation Initiative, György Szucs, President of IPOSZ, the Hungarian Union of Handcraft Organizations, István Jakab, President of Association of Hungarian Cooperations, Márton Braun, Managing Director of MVA and Zsolt László Becsey MEP, member of the EP Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs, who underlined the importance of SMEs in the European economies. The event was concluded by the women entrepreneurship panel, headed by Etelka Barsi-Pataky MEP, member of EP Committee on Transport and Tourism. The panel was attended by Marie-Christine Oghly, National President of Women Entrepreneurs Directorate France, Katalin Kiszely, former MP, University Professor and President of KKVE-NT and Anita Petrucz, Project Manager at TMB Hungary Technology Transfer and Software Development Engineering Ltd., who talked about the situation of women entrepreneurs in Hungary.
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2006-01-31, Bratislava, SME Union Slovakia, Venture Capital Conference
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The SME Union Slovakia in cooperation with the Austrian Trade Commission in Bratislava organized on 31 January a Conference on the topic of “Venture Capital”.Ivan Štefanec, President of the SME Union Slovakia and Konstantin Bekos, Commercial Counsellor, at the Austrian Embassy welcomed the participants. Ivan Mikloš, Vice Prime Minister and Finance Minister and holder of the “SME UNION Political Entrepreneurship Award”, introduced in the topic of Venture Capital as an instrument of a knowledge based economy within the MINERVA-programme, followed by Peter Jungen, Co-President of the SME UNION, who spoke about SMEs Venture Capital and Angel investing. |
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In the second Panel Patrick Voller, Secretary General SME UNION, launched the debate on the need of knowledge based economy. The subject of state support and its basic ideas was presented by Martin Bruncko, Chief Advisor to Finance Minister Ivan Mikloš.
Further information
Programme
Conference presentations |
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Services Directive: PLEASE SUPPORT US IN PUBLIC DEBATE!
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Austrian Minister for Economics Martin Bartenstein welcomed European Commission’s announcement on the purpose to find political agreement on the Services Directive during the Austrian Presidency. The new Commission proposal should exclude wage and social dumping. Chancellor Schüssel underlined that the integration of the social partners to find an agreement would be “most desirable”. SME UNION Vice-President Malcolm Harbour MEP, Shadow Reporter on the Services Directive, underlined as well that “this is the most important economic text on the table” at the moment when he was able to discuss details with Minister Bartenstein. The draft will be submitted to vote for the first reading in the European Parliament on 16 February.
After intensive discussions on 8 February 2006, on behalf of the EPP-ED Group, MEPs Marianne Thyssen, Malcolm Harbour, Othmar Karas and Jacques Toubon and on behalf of the PSE Group, MEPs Evelyne Gebhardt, Anne Van Lancker, Robert Goebbels, Johannes Swoboda, Harlem Desir, proposed the following compromise amendments.
As regards the SME UNION arguments and initiatives (Ad Hoc Working Group, Financial Times article, Political Bureau Resolution, events in the European Parliament, publications, information materials) see previous Newsletters and homepage. For their enduring support for this important issue many thanks go to SME UNION Co-President Peter Jungen, Vice-President MEP Malcolm Harbour and Presidency Members MEPs Othmar Karas and Paul Ruebig, just to name a few. We ask all our members, partners and friends to support our MEPs in the national public debate in favour of opening the European Services market along our believes!
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Competitiveness and Innovation Programme (CIP)
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Stimulating the competitiveness of SMEs, fostering and promoting eco-innovation, energy efficiency and renewables, and accelerating the process leading to a fully-fledged information society are the objectives of the Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme 2007-2013 (CIP).
In the current discussion on the Financial Perspectives 2007-2013 which is linked to the 7th Research Framework Programme and the Competitiveness and Innovation Programme (CIP) the SME Circle published a resolution and press release underlining that the programme, specially targeted for SMEs, only makes sense if supplied with enough financial resources. The Council will debate the dossier on 13 March 2006. The first reading in the Parliament is set for 4 May 2006. Another Council debate is expected on 29 May 2006.
SME Circle resolution on CIP
SME Circle CIP press release |
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Vlasto Report: SME Charter still deficiently applied
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The European Parliament adopted a report presented on initiative of Dominique Vlasto (EPP-ED), putting under question the application of the European Charter for small enterprises. Adopted on 19 and 20 June 2000 by the European Council in Feira, the Charter was consecrating the importance of the sector that represents 99% of the enterprises and covers 55% of the jobs of the private sector. The report contains different propositions that could be putted into practice through the Charter and not only to keep it as simple instrument of political intervention of the Council and Commission. It stipulates as well the maintain of annual reports on the Charter’s application, exchange of good practices between the Member States and conferences with the professional organisations.
Further information
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Towards a European Private Company for SMEs
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Following the negotiations and adoption of the European Company (SE) statute, different national and European professional organisations proposed a similar statute that would be accessible also to SMEs. In this perspective, the European Commission launched a feasibility study in December 2003 that was concluded and presented by the end of 2005. At this point, the project was sent to DG Internal Market and a debate was launched between the political and economic actors about a possible European Statute for SMEs.
Feasibility study |
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Consultation on Company Law and Corporate Governance
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On 20 December 2005 the European Commission launched a public consultation on the future development of the Action Plan on “Modernising Company Law and Enhancing Corporate Governance in the EU”. Started in 2003, the first phase of the action plan was a success. The consultation intends to define the best next steps to do, focusing on the overall aim and context for future priorities, continued relevance of the medium and long term measures in the light of the Lisbon agenda and the added value of modernising and simplifying European Company Law, with regard to the Better Regulation initiative. The dead-line for feedback is on 31 March 2006, when an analysis of the results will follow.
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New regional aid guidelines 2007-2013
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The European Commission adopted the Guidelines to be applied on the regional level under the EC Treaty state aid rules, for the same period as the programming of the EU structural funds. The document specifies the selection rules and defines the maximum permitted levels aid. The new Guidelines intend to refocus regional aid on the deprived regions in the context of an enlarged EU, encouraging at the same time the improvement of competitiveness and the smooth transition. A new type of aid is programmed for the first five years for the establishment and expansion phases of small enterprises.
Further information |
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FP7: Commission proposal on simplified rules
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In the purpose to facilitate access and use of the Seventh Framework Programme for research, compared to its predecessor FP6, the European Commission published a proposal of rules for participation. There are three forms of grants programmed consisting in eligible costs, lump sums and flat-rate financing. Small and medium sized enterprises will benefit up to 25 per cent of research activities, together with the public bodies, secondary and higher education establishments and non-profit research organisations.
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Home State Taxation for SMEs
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SMEs wishing to develop their activity abroad in another member state encounter many obstacles, out of which one of high importance is the company taxation. The Commission adopted a Communication presenting possible solutions to the compliance of costs and other company tax difficulties for SMEs doing cross-boarder businesses. The proposal mainly consists in the possibility for SMEs to compute their company tax profits according to the tax rules of the home state of the parent company or head office. The Home State Taxation, as presented by EU Commissioner for tax and customs Lászlo Kovács, has its bases on the voluntary mutual recognition of tax rules by EU Member States.
Further information
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REACH
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SME UNION’s President Christoph Leitl strongly criticized the outcome of the first reading at November 17, 2005 in the European Parliament on the new EU chemical policy: "Although all studies and impact assessments have confirmed that SMEs will be hardest hit by the REACH legislation, the European Parliament has opted for a difficult and bureaucratic approach. What we’ve seen is a vote in favor of even more bureaucracy and against European competitiveness."
The European Industry ministers hammered out a political agreement on chemicals legislation REACH on Tuesday, 13 December 2005. They have approved a landmark law on chemicals, after two years of discussion and lobbying. Please see all these details in our last Newsletter. The official Council Common Position, defining in detail this poltical agreement, is expected for May 2006. Afterwards the second reading in the Parliament is next. It is expected that the final decision on REACH will be reached by the European Parliament and Council in autumn 2006. The Commission expects entry into force of the Regulation for spring 2007. Thereafter it will take about a year for the REACH Agency to be operational. Accordingly the operational requirements of REACH are expected to start to be applied from 2008 onwards. After the political agreement in Dezember 2005 it is now up to the Council to hammer out the details. The second reading in the Parliament will be crucial as well for SMEs not going back to old stumbling blocks for European entrepreneurs. |
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Sunshine Directive
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The directive on optical radiation, also called the "Sunshine Directive" went after the 2nd reading into the so-called Conciliation Committee with representatives of the Commission, European Parliament and Council. MEP Thomas Mann, member of the SME Circle, was part of the conciliation team. As a result of the conciliation the natural light (sunshine) will stay out of the directive which will only apply to artificial optical radiation. After the compromise found in the committee, the directive only needs a simple majority in the 3rd reading in the February plenary in Strasbourg. This was a good example how SME lobbying can lead to good results. A great succuess for the SME Circle and of the EPP-ED opinion leaders MEPs Bushill-Matthews, Thomas Mann, Ehler, Weisgerber, Ruebig, Karas and Radwan, just to name a few. A good example how fruitful the cooperation with the UK conservatives within the EPP-ED Group works. |
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Tel : (+32) 2 233 38 38
Fax : (+32) 2 230 92 18
sme@sme-union.eu
http://www.sme-union.eu
Content Manager : Diana Trascu
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| Newsletter January/February 2006 |
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