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| Newsletter June 2007 |
| Foreword |
| Upcoming Events |
| Service & Information |
| Latest Events |
| SME Lex |
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Dear Members of the SME UNION, dear friends of SMEs!
At our SME UNION General Assembly 2007 on May 11 in Berlin, the former leadership was given a strong vote of confidence to lead our organization for the upcoming two years.
Vote of confidence for SME UNION leadership
Myself as President, Co-President Peter Jungen and the six Vice-Presidents were reelected to lead the business association of the European People’s Party to the important European Parliament elections in 2009. The SME UNION General Assembly was hosted by the German SME Union MIT and included a fruitful political dialogue with representatives of the German EU Presidency including Secretaries of State Hartmut Schauerte and Thomas Rachel.
Restart for Europe: time over for mini solutions
This week the heads of state and government of the EU member states will meet in Brussels to find a breakthrough in the current constitutional debate. The European Union has now almost twice as many members as it had three years ago. After the debate about the constitutional treaty, we need a debate about the deepening of the existing EU. As in the business world, nobody should be forced to break new ground, but nobody should be hindered to do so either: Those member states who want to move further in certain fields should do so. The others should always have the option to join in later if they wish. We do not want to create an exclusive club. The Euro zone countries could be the starting point for a stronger integrated group. A common monetary policy is a good base for a common economic policy.
Efficient energy and lower roaming prices
As regards the current hot topics of energy, the SME UNION together with our Polish member held a crucial EU energy policy conference in the heart of Poland to raise awareness and inform business. Right before the summer break, SME UNION board member and former President MEP Paul Rübig and the SME Circle fought successfully to bring down roaming charges facilitating cross-border activities for small businesses. This EU regulation represents also a best practice example for better regulation since it has an expiration date of three years using a so called sunset clause.
Ready for summer: sustainable tourism and better transport
Our newly created Working Group SME Tourism will discuss the role of SMEs for a sustainable European tourism industry in the European Parliament end of this month. The SME Circle adopted a position paper on EU transport policy supporting our small businesses. Furthermore, it is our pleasure to introduce to you the new SME portal of the EU Commission, an online tool for SME funding. Further details about these SME issues and events you will find in this Newsletter. We wish you a fruitful reading and are looking forward to welcoming you at our next events. |
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2007-06-20, Strasbourg, SME Intergroup on Labour Law
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The next SME Intergroup meeting will cover the topic "The Green Paper on Labour Law - Labour Law for SMEs?” and will take place on Wednesday, 20 June 2007 at 16.30 – 17.30 h, Room N 3.4 European Parliament, Strasbourg. The Impulse Statement will be given by Jacek Protasiewicz MEP, Committee on Employment and Social Affairs, Rapporteur on the European Parliament's report on the "Green Paper on Labour Law".
Invitation |
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2007-06-26, Brussels, BEST Conference
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On Tuesday 26 June 2007 a conference entitled “Reducing Burdens on Industry by Simplifying the Implementation of Environmental Regulation” will take place in Brussels. The conference aims to follow up the actions taken by the Commission last year, when a BEST report was launched by DG Enterprise and Industry. The report presented 76 examples of good practice and assessed 26 of them as best practice. Since this time the European Council has commited to reduce burdens by 25%. This year’s conference will focus on establishing the actions that have already been taken and the planned ones.
Further information |
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2007-06-27 Brussels, SME Working Breakfast “Sustainable Tourism and SMEs”
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Following the public consultation opened by the European Commission on sustainable and competitive tourism the SME UNION together with SME Tourism and the SME Circle of the EPP-ED Group will organize a working breakfast on “Sustainable Tourism and SMEs”. The event will take place on Wednesday 27 June 2007 in European Parliament from 8:00 until 9:30.
Registration with Project Manager Cleopatra Rusu or +32 2 233 38-31
Invitation |
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2007-06-28 Brussels, SME Working Breakfast “Marketing of Products Regulation & SMEs”
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On Thursday 28 June 2007 the SME UNION, the European Builders Confederation, NORMAPME and the SME Circle will organize a working breakfast dealing with the “Marketing of Products Regulation & SMEs”. |
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The event will take place in the European Parliament from 8:00 until 9:30. Registration with Project Manager Cleopatra Rusu or +32 2 233 38-31
Draft Invitation |
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2007-11-07 Glasgow, Conference on International Entrepreneurship
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The Annual Conference of the Institute for Small Business & Entrepreneurship will take place in Scotland, Glasgow from 7 to 9 November 2007. The event is organized by the Institute for Small Business & Entrepreneurship and is entitled “International Entrepreneurship – stimulating smarter successful small business world-wide”. Key themes to be discussed include among others advancing entrepreneurship education and enterprise, innovation, technology transfer, knowledge networks and supporting small business development world-wide.
Further information |
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Service & Information |
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Multimedia tool for SME funding
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A Multimedia tool for SME funding was launched to facilitate the presentation of the main European funding programmes offered to SMEs. The tool includes concise information and links to the appropriate webpages. The available programmes are organized in twelve themes, including education and training, energy, environment or transport.
On-line tool for SME funding |
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REACH enters into force
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On Friday 1 June 2007 the new European chemicals regulation REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and restrictions of Chemicals) has entered into force and with it the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) started operating in Helsinki. The Agency will become fully operational by 1 June 2008 when companies begin with the on-line submission of pre-registrations and registration dossiers on chemical substances.
European Chemicals Agency
A new software application IUCLID 5 aimed to help companies to enter, store, manage and exchange data under REACH is now accessible.
Download free IUCLID 5 |
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Euractiv interview with SME UNION President Leitl
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In the recent interview for Euractiv Christoph Leitl speaks about the need for better and less regulation.
Read full interview |
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SME UNION Honorary President interviewed in European Voice
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The last European Voice featured six pages dedicated to SMEs including an article by Ingo Friedrich MEP, Honorary President of the SME UNION.
The article entitled “Can the EU build the right playing-field for SMEs?”
Read full article |
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Local Elections in Moldova
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On Sunday 3 June 2007 in the Republic of Moldova the local general elections took place. Christian Democratic People’s Party (CDPP) won 8,2% of votes (in 2003 6,35%). After the first round of the election for mayors preliminary results showed 6,86% of votes for Christian-democrats (in 2003 the result was 2%). However a series of irregularities and infringements committed by the Communist Party were reported during the elections. As a result of these perturbations the president of Christian Democratic People’s Party (CDPP) and SME Union Moldova pioneer Iurie Rosca released several statements.
Coalition 2007
Statement Iurie Rosca 3-06-07
Statement Iurie Rosca 4-06-07 |
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Professional MBA Entrepreneurship and Innovation
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A new Professional MBA Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Mastering Creative Destruction was launched by the Vienna University of Technology and the Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration. The program stands for bond between technological excellence and business competence. During the program entrepreneurial thinking and acting will be taught by international experts. The Schumpeter program is sponsored by the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber. The Academic Director is Univ.Prof. Dr. Nikolaus Franke. Application deadline is Saturday June 30, 2007.
Further information
Registration |
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New EU Ombudsman support for SMEs
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New info sheet for businesses, associations, NGOs and regional offices was published by the European Ombudsman. The Ombudsman deals with problems with EU administration which might be the case among mentioned groups.
European Ombudsman Info Sheet
Further Information
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Call:Intelligent energy - Europe's programme
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The Intelligent Energy Executive Agency (IEEA) has launched a call for proposals for the 'Intelligent energy-Europe' 2007 work programme. The aim of the programme is to contribute to secure, sustainable and competitively priced energy for Europe by providing for action:
*to foster energy efficiency and the rational use of energy resources;
*to promote new and renewable energy sources and to support energy diversification;
*to promote energy efficiency and the use of new and renewable energy sources in transport.
The deadline for submitting proposal documents is 28 September 2007.
Call
Enquiry form
Further information |
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List of FP7 Calls
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The list of FP7 calls for proposal will be closing soon. One of the calls on the FP7 list is Research for SMEs Call 1 (FP7-SME-2007-1) on Research for the benefit of SMEs. The closing date for this specific call is 4 September 2007.
Full list of calls |
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FP7 model grant agreements published
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The European Commission has adpoted the general model grant agreement, which will be used in the financing of research projects under the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7). The model grant agreement determines all the rights and obligations between the Commission and the beneficiares of the FP7 grants.
Model Grant Agreement |
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2007–05–11, Berlin, SME UNION General Assembly 2007
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At the SME UNION General Assembly on May 11 in Berlin, President Christoph Leitl, Co-President Peter Jungen and the 6 Vice-Presidents were reelected to lead the small business task force of the European People’s Party in the coming two years. The SME UNION General Assembly was hosted by the German SME Union MIT and included a fruitful political dialogue with representatives of the German EU Presidency including Secretaries of State Hartmut Schauerte and Thomas Rachel.
Speech Rachel
Speech Schauerte |
Next to President Christoph Leitl, former Eurochambres President and President of the Austrian Chamber of Commerce, the German angel investor and EPP Economic and Social Policy chairman Peter Jungen was voted to continue his position as Co-President supporting the organisation with his business experience and EPP internal know-how. New in the team are Bulgarian MP and former Foreign Minister Nadezhda Mihaylova, MEP Corien Wortmann-Kool as new SME Women President, Bulgarian MP and former EP Observer Maria Cappone, Romanian PNTCD President Marian Petre Milut, MEP Philip Bushill-Matthews as Coordinator of the EP Employment and Social Affairs Committee and MEP Jean-Paul Gauzès as SME Start-up President from the French UMP.
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President Leitl thanked the members for their trust and summed up the successes of the SME UNION during the last two years of his term: The SME UNION grew a lot and has now for the first time members and network partner in all 27 EU member countries. Lobbying successes could be met as regards a higher de minimis limit for national SME funding, better financial conditions for SMEs in the Basel II framework, less toxic regulations for small businesses as regards the EU Chemical Directive REACH, a compromise on the Services Directive brokered with the help of our organisation to open up the EU services market, a strong 10m+ program which found its way in the EU Council Conclusions of the Austrian Presidency demanding 10 million new jobs until 2010 and the cooperation with EU Commissioner Verheugen on the reduction of EU induced red tape by 25% until 2010 which showed the first results. |
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“The years to the upcoming elections to the European Parliament in 2009 will be crucial for Europe’s future as important decisions have to be taken and challenges met”, emphasized re-elected SME UNION President Christoph Leitl. In his inaugural speech as re-elected President Leitl outlined the manifold challenges ahead:
* We need a functioning Europe for our SMEs. The time for mini compromises is over. We need more, not less Europe with encouraged Member States and political parties taking brave decisions to support small businesses.
* Energy – Efficiency – Environment (EEE): Sustainable development is a chance for entrepreneurs. The current EU energy debate has to be used by our members to create new products for energy efficiency and to produce more energy efficient as well.
*The discussion on EU labour law will be closely monitored and influenced by our organisation to ensure that the framework conditions for European employers become competitive and the EU institutions follow the principle of less and better regulation. Flexicurity could be an answer to many problems.
*Now that our organization is completed Leitl will introduce measures to integrate our existing members even closer into our work and enhance the dialogue between Brussels and our members. A best practice report from our members combined with a competition would be an interesting idea to implement.
*The European Commission has to deliver on its promise to cut red tape burden by 25 percent until 2010. SME UNION will continue to fight for a quick and far-reaching reduction of bureaucracy. SMEs need a red carpet, not red tape!
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The President of the SME UNION thanked the outgoing Presidency members for their excellent work and concluded that he is looking forward to working with this motivated team to serve the small business community of Europe according to our common values of the European People’s Party.
Press Release
Picture gallery |
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2007-05-15, SME Working Breakfast on Rome I: A threat to SMEs?
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On Tuesday 15 May the SME UNION of the EPP in cooperation with EuroCommerce and the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) organized a Working Breakfast discussing the Rome I proposal and particularly its Article 5 which threatens European SMEs. Moderator Malcolm Harbour MEP, Vice-President of the SME UNION and Member of the EP Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection welcomed the participants. By underlining to look at the whole topic from the broader Consumer Protection point of view he kicked-off the meeting. In continuation three impulse statements marked the meeting. Andrew Cave, Senior Adviser for EU and International Affairs at UK FSB, started by saying that “The European Commission’s Rome I proposal (Art.5) introduces barriers to cross-border e-commerce, it deprives the consumer of choice, inhibits the growth of e-commerce and contradicts the principle of the single market.” Furthermore he stated that we should not rush with changes in the current regime of the Rome Convention 1980 as there were no real difficulties with it so far. “The Commission should first ask for an impact assessment”, concluded Cave. The word was than taken by Jochen Clausnitzer European and International Law Director in the German Chamber of Industry and Commerce (DIHK) who agreed with Andrew Cave and stressed that Rome I should bring better regulation instead of hindering competition between countries. Last but not least, Edda Knittel, Adviser at Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKÖ) - EU-office urged that MEPs take a closer look at the tourism industry and gave an example of a shop in Brussels airport, that has an internet website for selling services, who would have to apply more than 27 different rules for different consumers in different countries if the current Rome I Proposal does not change. An interesting and lively debate developed with the participants.
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The concluding remarks were delivered by Patrice Pelegrino, Adviser on Internal Market and Consumer Affairs and Fiscal Affairs at EuroCommerce. Pelegrino underlined that the Rome I Proposal is not well defined. He expressed the need for proper enforcement of rules that can boost an active common market.
Conclusive remarks Pellegrino
Statement Knittel |
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2007-05-16, SME Working Breakfast on International Financial Reporting Standards for SMEs
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On Wednesday 16 May 2007, the SME UNION in cooperation with the European Association of Craft, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (UEAPME) and the European Savings Banks Group (ESBG) organized a Working Breakfast to discuss International Financial Reporting Standards for SMEs. |
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Moderator Alexander Radwan MEP, President of the SME Circle and EP Rapporteur for International Financial Reporting Standards for SMEs (IFRS) opened the meeting by welcoming all supporters of the SMEs and especially e-business representatives.
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Piotr Madziar emphasized that there a direct relationship between the IAS regulation and IFRS for SMEs does not exist. The Commission took a prudent approach on the draft IFRS. Until June, the Communication regarding IFRS will propose several simple quick-win measures that gained support in the consultation process. Kristina Maksinen stressed that the savings banks are not in favour of imposing these standards on SMEs. She concluded that ESBG Members are introducing different tools for credit decision making and they have a neutral approach as regards to financial statements. Luc Hendrickx concluded that the mandatory implementation of IFRS, or a different set of new rules, based on those developed for listed companies, would generate substantial administrative burden and a financial cost for SMEs that is likely to outweigh any positive effects. The close connection between annual accounts and the tax returns would also force SMEs in different member states to maintain two set of financial reports, also adding to the administrative burden. |
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The participants showed great interest in the topic, as they participated in the vivid discussion. At the end MEP Radwan highlighted that the European Parliament has three parts to work on during the upcoming process: the need of SME standards in general, question of convergence to the US, governance & transparency issues.
Notes Hendrickx
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2007-05-22, Poznan SME Union Poland Energy Conference
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UNICORN SME Union Poland in cooperation with the SME UNION of the EPP, Poznan International Fair EXPOPOWER and the Association of Polish Middle Class organized an International Conference entitled “Entering the Renewable Era of Sustainable Energy – EU and Energy Challenges of the Future” in Poznan, Poland Tuesday, 22 May 2007. The event was hosted by the Poznan International Fair.
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This high level debate focused on energy and climate change issues, which are currently hot topics especially in Brussels. Participants of the event were warmly welcomed by Przemyslaw Trawa, the Poznan International Fair Representative, Jerzy Samborski, President of UNICORN SME Union Poland, Peter Jungen, Co-President of the SME UNION and Piotr Kolodziejczak, Secretary of the President of the City of Poznan.
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The opening session was followed by a lecture “An Assessment of Real Climate History And Current Conditions. A Non-Govermental Panel’s Critique of the IPCC” given by Dr Fred Goldberg from Sweden in which he scientifically demonstrated that human CO2-emissions have had no impact on the climate. Christopher C. Horner , Director of External Relations and Policy Counsel, European Enterprise Institute and author of the bestseller “The Politically Incorrect Guide to Global Warming and Environmentalism” in his speech assessed the EU Kyoto Protocol and made a comparison between the US and Europe’s emissions performance. David Seich delegate of the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Mirek Topolanek, Chairman of the SME Committee of the Czech Parliament and President of SME Union Czech Republic spoke about energy security and EU energy policy presenting the current energy situation of his country. He also underlined the necessity of opening a discussion about nuclear power. Patrick Voller, Secretary General of the SME UNION presented the new energy approach of the European Commission as well as SMEs activities in the field of energy policies. The second panel started with a speech of Tuomo J. Hattaka, Head of Business Group Vattenfall Poland who focused on the current energy situation and future development of the energy market in Poland. Peter Jungen, Co-President of the SME UNION of the EPP underlined the importance of less regulation and competition. The speeches were followed by questions and debate with the participants of the conference.
Presentation Horner
Presentation Hatakka
Presentation Voller |
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2007-06-04, Brussels, SME Day 2007: Small Companies – Big Ideas
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On Monday 4 June 2007, Microsoft in cooperation with the European Parliament Magazine, SME UNION and other organisations organized a Gala Dinner to discuss current key problems facing SMEs. Moderator Pavel Telicka, co-founder of BXL Consulting and a former Czech Commissioner to the European Union opened the Gala Dinner by welcoming the guests from the European Parliament, the European Commission, Entrepreneurs and especially the SME UNION. The impulse statements were given by Craig Mundie, Chief Research and Strategy Officer of Microsoft, Philip Bushill-Matthews, Vice- President of the SME Circle of the EPP-ED Group and Ben Noteboom, Randstad CEO.
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On Tuesday 5 June 2007, Microsoft held its third annual SME Day done in partnership with more than 50 organizations including the SME UNION, four student entrepreneur organizations (JADE, Junior Achievement, AISEC, and AEGEE) as well as Entrepreneur Trade Associations Europe’s 500 and Euro ISPA (representing Europe’s ISVs). SME UNION was one of the 50 exhibitors and had its own information stand. Other especially interesting stands included “Junior Achievement Young Enterprise” JA-YE, which is Europe’s largest provider of enterprise education programs, reaching 2.2 million students in 40 countries, econet, which is a multi-domestic grants consultancy, it counts 3 excellence centers (Madrid, Brussels & Vienna) and has a 75% success rate in grants applications and “European Grants Advisor” EUGA , which is developed by Microsoft, in Partnership with HP, Intel and has a diverse group of local participants. |
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Craig Mundie’s panel included John Sammis, Economic Affairs from the US Mission, Minister Turk from Slovenia, Dean Brown of INSEAD, and Jean Schmitt of Sofinnova Venture Capital. It was moderated by former WSJ Europe Bureau Chief, Rich Hudson. Discussed topics concerned key problems facing SMEs, financing, and solutions governments should consider. Craig Mundie provided insight into the future trends of computing opportunities.
Further information |
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2007-06-05, Brussels, SME - Orgalime Working Breakfast on European Mechanical Engineering
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On 5 June 2007 the SME UNION of the EPP in cooperation with Orgalime (European Engineering Industries Association) held the Working Breakfast
“European Mechanical Engineering: Keeping this European SME Industry as the World Champion” in the European Parliament. MEP Ruebig Member of the EP Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) mentioned in his introduction that the "Mechanical Engineering sector is one of the most important industries in Europe and provides systems for all other manufacturing branches. It is the world’s largest producer and exporter of machinery”. With 8% of total EU manufacturing output it is still an important and increasing economic sector.
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Adrian Harris, Secretary General of Orgalime, who was a member of the EngineEurope High-level discussion group, started the first impulse statement. Adrian Harris presented the report “EnginEurope: For a thriving European Mechanical Engineering industry in the 21st century”, which this group of experts together with the staff of the Enterprise and Industry Directorate-General of the European Commission wrote.
This document came up to “analyze the future strengths and weaknesses of the European Mechanical Engineering”.
Measures the European Parliament and the national governments should do
*Legislation for a better working and for the internal market
*Invest/promote in research/Universities/Schools
*Members of the national parliaments have to be involved
*Bilateral trade agreements with some trading partners
*Strengthening of the European patent regime.
Deputy Head of Unit Mechanical and Electrical Equipment of the European Commission Maria Spiliopoulou-Kaparia, also a member of the EngineEurope High-level discussion group, mentioned that the Mechanical Engineering directive is a big directive, therefore they needed a long time to prepare that directive, which e.g. includes better regulation and simplification for this sector and is now addressed to legislators, Member States and to the industry.
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At the moment one of the biggest problems for the Mechanical Engineering world is a lack of skilled workers and the protection of intellectual property, mostly for SMEs who have not the money to protect.
The last impulse statement by Vice-President of the SME UNION MEP Harbour Member of the Committee Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) was a very emotional one. His main request was that member states set up support especially for SMEs.
Engine Europe Executive Summary
Orgalime Press Release |
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2007-06-06 Brussels, SME Working Lunch “WTO, ITA & High-Tech SMEs: Encouraging Growth Through Open Markets”
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On Wednesday 6 June 2007 CompTIA, the SME UNION, and SME Global organized the Working Lunch in hotel Ranaissance entitled “WTO, ITA & High-Tech SMEs: Encouraging Growth Through Open Markets”. |
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The introduction and moderation was held by Paul Ruebig MEP, President of SME Global, who in his welcome speech introduced the speakers and stressed the need for new improved regulations and free trade. First speaker Hugo Lueders, European Director of Public Policy, Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) underlined that “we cannot argue for openness from others while sheltering behind barriers of our own” quoting European Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson. He emphasized the importance of discussed topic for SMEs as they are the backbone of the industry and key for productivity. |
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Tapani Mikkeli, DG Enterprise Deputy Head of Unit, Technology for Innovation, ICT Industries and e-business, highlighted that the Information Technology Agreement is complicated and we should be aware that since it was concluded in 1996 the framework for the IT has changed. According to Tapani Mikkeli we have to wait for the result of the negotiations. Robert Kramer, Vice-President, CompTIA Global Public Policy said that DG Trade and DG Taxation and Customs Union reclassified some products without taking into account the already set up ITA framework. Robert Kramer stated that European companies will start searching for markets outside Europe. Peter Stastny MEP, Member of the EP Committee on International Trade emphasized that Europe has to catch-up with the US, where SMEs are the backbone of the economy. The impulse statements were followed by a discussion with participants.
Position Paper CompTIA
European Voice Article |
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Lower roaming prices already this summer!
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On Wednesday 23 May 2007 the European Parliament adopted a package on the Roaming Regulation. The deal includes maximum price caps, but also better transparency and information about costs and possibility to choose a tariff by a consumer is assured. Millions of consumers owe these promising conditions to the efforts of EPP-ED political group. This legislative project was concluded thanks to efforts of Commissioner for Information Society and Media Viviane Reding, German Council Presidents Michael Glos and Joachim Wuermeling and by Paul Ruebig MEP.
The roaming regulation will be published in the official journal of the EU on 29th of June and it will enter into force on 30th of June. This means that a new roaming tariff will be introduced by the 30th of June to every European citizen having a mobile phone. After entry into force of the Regulation telecom companies are obliged to offer a tariff below 49 Cents for active and 28 Cents for received calls. Telecoms have one month time to adopt these rules but many phone companies will do so beforehand. The Regulation will result in the creation of enduring competition in the long run and that will bring down roaming charges generally. If a customer has not had time to change the tariff or was simply not informed about the opportunity, he will automatically be put onto a tariff below the cap by October 2007.
Next steps:
Within one month from regulation having entered into force all mobile phone users should receive information from their operators on the new tariffs offering them prices in accordance with the cap being set in the Regulation. Having received the information the consumer should answer within two months whether he is interested in the new Eutotariff or not. Operators will then have one month to provide the consumer with the new tariff.
Roaming Regulation approved by the European Parliament |
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Rome I Proposal (Art. 5): A threat to SMEs!
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Article 5 of the Commission’s draft regulation proposes that the governing law of all b2c contracts will be the law of the country where the consumer is habitually resident. That means that suppliers will not be able to operate throughout the EU with a single model contract, but will need a different contract for all 27 national legal systems. Under the draft regulation, websites not directly intending to sell products and services to consumers in another member state would still be obliged to understand and apply the consumer law of potential customers from other member states.
The SME UNION position based on our working breakfast (see above) is that Rome I proposal and especially its Art.5 introduces barriers to cross-border e-commerce and contradicts the principle of single market by hindering small businesses. Therefore the Commission and Member States should not rush with changes of the current regime of the Rome Convention 1980 as there were no difficulties on this subject so far. Instead the Commission should undertake an impact assessment before preparing any new regulation.
Next steps:
26 June 2007: Vote in Juri Committee (Committee on legal affaires)
July: Vote in Plenary Session |
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Adoption of the SME Circle Position on EU transport policy
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On Tuesday 12 June 2007 the SME Circle position paper on the EU transport policy was anonymously adopted. The paper was tabled by the Rapporteur MEP Etelka Barsi-Pataky.
SME Circle position on sustainable transport policy |
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Commission supports Posting of Workers Directive
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Soon Member States which set restrictions on posted workers will face legal actions. This is due to actions of Vladimir Spidla, Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities. The guidelines on the application of the 1996 posting of workers directive published on Wednesday 13 June 2007 are being accompanied by the list of bureaucratic obstacles often used by Member States, among others Austria, France or Germany.
Further information
UEAPME Press Release
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Public comments on IFRS
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On 15 February 2007 the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) has published the Exposure Draft of its International Financial Reporting Standard for Small and Medium-sized Entities (IFRS for SMEs) for public comment. The standard aims in providing a set of principles grounded on full International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) which will be suitable for smaller, non-listed companies. The deadline for commenting is 1 October 2007. EP Rapporteur is SME Circle President MEP Alexander Radwan.
Medium-sized Entities (IFRS for SMEs) for public comment. The standard aims in providing a set of principles grounded on full International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) which will be suitable for smaller, non-listed companies. The deadline for commenting is 1 October 2007. EP Rapporteur is SME Circle President MEP Alexander Radwan.
Latest steps:
The SME UNION in cooperation with the European Association of Craft, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (UEAPME) and the European Savings Banks Group (ESBG) organized a Working Breakfast to discuss International Financial Reporting Standards for SMEs on Wednesday 16 May 2007. For details see lateste events.
Next steps:
During the period of public comment round-table meetings will be organized and some field tests carried out. A possible standard is anticipated in mid-2008.
Further information |
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Mediterranean Union
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Newly elected French President Nicolas Sarkozy spoke about an idea to create Mediterranean Union, which would play an significant role in politics, economy and security. SME UNION has already installed a working group SME Med to support SMEs in the Mediterranean Basin. SME Med President is Peter Alba.
Full article Sarkozy's Mediterranean Dream
Geoffroy Vilbert comments
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Legislative Overview: SME related dossiers in the European Parliament
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Below you can find an overview by the SME Circle on existing dossiers issued by the European Parliament which deal mainly with the SME issues and have remarkable impact on European small and medium enterprises.
SME related dossiers June 07 |
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For comments and further information please do not hesitate to contact us.
If you wish to read this in your own language you can copy the text and use the following tool : http://translate.google.com
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