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| Newsletter February/March 2008 |
| Foreword |
| Upcoming Events |
| Service & Information |
| Latest Events |
| SME Lex |
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Dear Members of the SME UNION, dear friends of SMEs!
The first quarter of the working year 2008 is almost finished and the SME UNION, the business organization of the EPP, got a good head-start on the current EU SME topics. In January we were the first organization in Brussels addressing the issue of the Small Business Act (SBA) with high level Commission and Member State representatives this year. Our Telecom Conference with EU Commissioner Reding was a big success and focused on the possibilities for SMEs in this field. Our SME Women network discussed financial support programmes with the European Investment Bank (EIB) and their contribution to the SBA. During our family enterprises conference in March we entered into a dialogue with the Commission and academia to contribute to better framework conditions in Europe.
One of the highlights during the last weeks was the SME UNION meeting with EU Commission Vice-President Verheugen in February in Strasburg where we agreed on concrete proposals to address the concerns of SMEs in three months, not in three years. On the same day our “Low Level Working Group” to fight red tape kicked-off with our expert and entrepreneurs round table. As regards the fight against bureaucracy, we have to underline that concrete results must be on the table by this June, if this Commission still plans to realistically implement these measures. During our meeting with EPP-ED President MEP Joseph Daul, we were able to forge an even closer cooperation between the Group and the UNION in the run-up for the European Parliament elections 2009 and the upcoming French Presidency.
Several important events are in the pipeline and fruitful information for you in this newsletter. We wish you a captivating reading of this edition and we are looking forward to welcoming you at our next events.
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2008-04-08 Brussels, Europe and the Global Knowledge Economy
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The event in the European Parliament on 8 April 2008 offers the possibility to engage in a ‘Pact for Knowledge and Innovation’ where stakeholders from the public, private and academic sectors will consider how the ‘The 2020 Challenges’ can bring benefit to Europe’s economy and citizens. SME Intergroup President Othmar Karas MEP will be hosting the SME table.
More information |
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2008-04-09 Brussels, Working Breakfast on Renewable Energy
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The SME UNION of the EPP together with the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKO) will organize on 9 April 2008 a Working Breakfast on "Renewables Renewed: What’s in for SMEs?". Claude TURMES MEP, Vice-President of the GREENS/EFA Group, Rapporteur of the Renewable Energy Directive will be the key speaker at the event to which you are kindly invited. The working breakfast will take place from 08.00 – 09.30h in the premises of the European Parliament.
Invitation
For further information please contact our Project Manager Barbara BIZJAK; Tel: +32 2 233 38-38 |
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2008-04-09/10 Vilvoorde, Belgium, European E-Business Council Meeting
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Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA ) is organizing a forum on “Increasing E-Commerce Adoption” designed to engage supply-chain leaders in a collaborative environment to discuss pertinent issues affecting the industry on 10 April 2008 in Vilvoorde, Belgium.
More information |
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2008-04-10 Brussels, Working Lunch on SMEs & Future of EU Health System
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The SME UNION of the EPP together with SME Health and Novartis will organize on 10 April 2008 a Working Lunch on "SMEs & Future of EU Health System". The Working Lunch to which you are kindly invited will take place from 12.30 – 14.00h in the premises of the European Parliament.
Invitation
For further information please contact our Project Manager Orsolya TOTH; Tel: +32 2 233 38-34
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2004-04-15 Brussels, Working Breakfast on Women in Business & Politics
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The SME UNION of the EPP, the International Republican Institute (IRI) Women`s Democracy Network and SME Women will organize on 15 April 2008 a Working Breakfast on "Women in Business & Politics". The Working Breakfast to which you are kindly invited will take place from 08.00 – 09.30h in the premises of the European Parliament.
Invitation
For further information please contact our Project Manager Orsolya TOTH; Tel: +32 2 233 38-34 |
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2004-04-19 Sofia, Bulgaria, Conference on Sustainable Tourism in Europe: Chances and Challenges for SME
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The Union of SME Bulgaria and Konrad Adenauer Stiftung in cooperation with the SME UNION of the EPP will organize a conference on "Sustainable Tourism in Europe: Chances and Challenges for SMEs". President of the Union of SME Bulgaria and former Foreign Minister Nadezhda Mihaylova MP is the initiator of the conference. The event to which you are kindly invited will take place on 19 April 2008 in Sofia from 08.30 -12.30h.
Invitation
For further information please contact our Project Manager Özge UYANIK; Tel: +32 2 233 38-36 |
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2008-05-06 Brussels, Working Breakfast on SMEs and Late Payments
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The SME UNION of the EPP together with Intrum Justitia and the SME Circle of the EPP-ED Group will organize on 6 May 2008 a Working Breakfast on "Late Payment: Kiss of Death for SMEs". The Working Breakfast to which you are kindly invited will take place from 08.00 – 09.30h in the premises of the European Parliament.
Invitation
For further information please contact our Project Manager Horst HEITZ; Tel: +32 2 233 38-37 |
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2008-05-14 Brussels, Working Breakfast on Community Patent
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The SME UNION of the EPP in cooperation with the German Engineering Federation (VDMA) will organize on 14 May 2008 a Working Breakfast on "Towards a New Community Patent: a View from SMEs". The working breakfast to which you are kindly invited will take place from 08.00 – 09.30h in the premises of the European Parliament. Details will follow. Further questions to Cleopatra RUSU, sme@sme-union.org, Tel: +32 2 233 38 - 30 |
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2008-05-28 Brussels, Working Breakfast on Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI)
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The SME UNION of the EPP in cooperation with the European Association for Bioindustries (EuropaBio) will organize on 28 May 2008 a Working Breakfast on "SMEs & the Innovative Medicines Initiative". The working breakfast to which you are kindly invited will take place from 08.00 – 09.30h in the premises of the European Parliament. Details will follow. Further questions to Orsolya TOTH, sme@sme-union.org, Tel: +32 2 233 38 - 34 |
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2008-06-23 Vienna, SME UNION General Assembly 2008
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On Monday, 23 June the SME UNION of the EPP will hold its annual General Assembly in the capital of Austria, Vienna, by invitation of the Austrian SME Union Wirtschaftsbund. The General Assembly will take place from 16.30 to 18.00h followed by an evening programm. The SME UNION Presidency (for Presidency members only) will take place between 15.00 and 16.00h, both meetings in the premises of the Wirtschaftsbund Österreich, Mozartgasse 4, 1041 Wien. Details will follow. Further questions to Barbara Bizjak, sme@sme-union.org, Tel: +32 2 233 38 - 38. |
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Service & Information |
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SME Women Newsletter
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Please find below the SME Women Quarterly Newsletter from March 2008.
SME Women Newsletter |
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Vice-President Verheugen launches Enterprise Europe Network
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On 7th February 2008 the European Commission Vice-President Günter Verheugen launched Enterprise Europe Network, a new and powerful European support network for enterprises. All major players of the business support community in Europe have united to offer a one-stop service to assist especially small and medium sized enterprises to develop their full potential and innovative capacity. The Enterprise Europe Network includes more than 500 contact points for entrepreneurs in Europe. They provide a full range of support services in close proximity to SMEs covering the whole EU territory and going even beyond.
More information |
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Cutting red tape at high speed: citizens and enterprises save money
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According to the EU Commission cutting red tape has reached speed in the EU and is now delivering the first tangible benefits to citizens and enterprises. The second progress report on the strategy for simplifying the regulatory environment tabled by the European Commission on 30 January, lists a series of impressive results already delivered and a set of ambitious further measures to be presented by the Commission in the course of 2008. Examples of simplification proposals already adopted include the "Single Payments Area" in the EU which could save the EU economy up to EUR 28 billion per year and the new electronic Customs Code which will boost international trade and save businesses up to EUR 2,5 billion/year. The Commission also reported on the first year of operation of the Action Programme for reducing administrative burdens. EUR 500 million is the estimated savings for companies by cutting red tape imposed on business resulting from the adoption of five fast track actions in 2007 with a further 800 million Euro savings expected to follow shortly. The Commission also announced its intention to come forward later this year with a further wave of fast track proposals in areas such as easing information requirements in the transport, agriculture and maritime sectors.
More information |
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Women in power still trapped by glass ceiling
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Despite recent progress, women in Europe are still shut out of top posts in both politics and business, says a new European Commission report: “Women and men in decision making 2007 – analysis of the situation and trends”. Across the EU, 24% of parliamentarians are women – up from 16% a decade ago – with a similar proportion holding ministerial office. In the private sector, men still represent 9 out of 10 board members in top companies and two-thirds of company bosses. The report coincides with International Women's Day on 8 March and comes ahead of a new European network of women in power, to be launched later this year.
Women and men in decision-making 2007 – analysis of the situation and trends
Database on women and men in decision-making
2008 Report on equality between women and men
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SMEs are the new paradigm for innovation in healthcare
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EuropaBio championed the innovative role that Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) have the potential to play in the European economy at the Drug Information Association’s 20th EuroMeeting 3-5 March in Barcelona. EuropaBio has identified several incentives for unlocking innovation in European SMEs, including: economical and robust Intellectual Property Rights; predictable, quick and economical market access. However, SMEs still need support from improved public research funding; and well educated people in entrepreneurship, contract negotiation and finances. The EU has responded by allowing Member States to offer State aid to SMEs in favour of research, development and innovation in the biotech industry. But the need still remains for more international finance and venture capital investment.
More information
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SMEs go Health
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The "SMEs go Health" initiative was established in order to support SMEs and SME groupings by offering advice and assisting them in participating in EU-funded research projects in the Health thematic priority of FP7. "SMEs go health“ aims to help improve the quality of research project proposals submitted in the Health thematic priority of FP7 and increase the participation rate of SMEs. Health-related companies, all over Europe, will be contacted, informed and trained on topics like IPR issues, EU project management and financial aspects of EU projects within FP7. A series of real and virtual brokerage events and the establishment of a high quality database with SME profiles will create the basis for efficient match making between SMEs and research consortia. "SMEs go Health" ensures an adequate involvement of Incubators and Biovalleys as important hosts of Health-related SMEs.
More information |
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2008-01-22, Brussels, SME UNION Working Breakfast on Indirect Taxation
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On Tuesday morning, 22 January the SME UNION of the EPP organized the 1st Working Breakfast of the year 2008 in the European Parliament on “Towards Indirect Taxation to Boost EU Entrepreneurship”. The Working Breakfast was moderated by Paul RÜBIG MEP, President of SME Global. In his introduction statement Rübig first of all thanked SME UNION for organizing the 1st working breakfast of the year 2008, he welcomed all the speakers and stressed the importance of addressing the theme of EU Taxation. The second speaker of the day was Götz W. WERNER, Founder and Managing Partner of »dm«-drogerie markt and Professor at the Institute for Entrepreneurship at the University of Karlsruhe. He said that due to globalization, people are not working anymore in the same space but in an international network, and we assist to the internationalization of labor process. Since we depend on others we have to create a framework of business for work. We have creative potential in our society consisting in human resources and capital. Wealth is gained by bringing together these two resources and by creating working conditions, also by facilitating the access to these resources to others. Following this approach the consumer tax looks to the future. Our present tax system (profit or income tax for example) is based on other social realities. Mr. Werner stressed that the facts are changing nowadays but we think we can solve the problems using the means from 100 years ago. We do not work anymore in an internal market but in an international division of labour and in a certain way we develop fiscal colonization. |
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The next speaker, Matthias MORS, Acting Director of DG Taxation and Customs Union (European Commission) argued that the question of the transfer of part of the tax burden from direct taxes to consumption taxes either has been or currently is on the policy agenda in a number of EU Member States. Although there is no consensus among economists, available studies suggest that the positive effects of such a tax shift depend on the specific design and circumstances of such a reform. While a shift towards consumption taxes tends to encourage investment and to reduce the tax burden on labour, tax-induced price increases raise the issue of compensating those who receive pensions or transfer incomes. Within the EU, the room for manoeuvre of individual Member States in introducing such a tax shift is limited by the potential importance of cross-border shopping by consumers. Even in the hypothetical case of a co-ordinated initiative, it is doubtful that VAT rates of up to 50% would be sustainable in view of the incentives they would provide for tax fraud and for encouraging the black economy. This notwithstanding, a well-designed and limited shift from income taxes towards consumption taxes is likely to be an attractive policy option in a number of Member States. Gerhard HUEMER, Director for Economic and Fiscal Policy at UEAPME , the European Crafts and SME Association, agreed with the general analysis on the negative impact on competitiveness of direct taxes within the EU, but pointed to the difficulties and problems a change over to a consumption based tax system would create: further incentives to escape into undeclared work, inflationary pressure due to higher import prices and the fact that tax-policy has to be decided with unanimity. Therefore, UEAPME's tax policy priorities are to reduce the compliance costs of the system for companies doing cross border business (one-stop-shop for VAT compliance, single company tax base) and reduced VAT rates for labour intensive services to fight undeclared work. The conclusions of these interesting statements were drawn by Christian WEINBERGER, Adviser on Entrepreneurship and SME Policy of DG Enterprise and Industry (European Commission). In his statement he mentioned the importance of the Lisbon agenda. Furthermore he argued that we need more entrepreneurship, and we have to comply with the administrative difficulties as well as reduce the costs for the enterprises.
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2008-01-22, Brussels, SME Women Business Lunch on access to finance for women entrepreneurs
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On Tuesday lunchtime, 22 January, the SME UNION of the EPP organized a Working Lunch in the European Parliament on: “Improving access to finance for female entrepreneurs”. The Working Lunch was hosted and moderated by Corien WORTMANN-KOOL MEP, President of SME Women. In her introduction statement Wortmann-Kool first of all thanked her SME Women team for organizing the 1st working lunch of the year 2008, she welcomed all the speakers and stressed the importance of addressing the theme of finance for female entrepreneurs.
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The first speaker was Philippe de FONTAINE VIVE, Vice-President of the European Investment Bank. He gave an overview of the funding and financing instruments issued by the European Investment Bank especially targeted to SMEs and female entrepreneurs. By the Competitiveness and Innovation Programme (CIP), the Joint European Resources for Micro to Medium Enterprises initiative (Jeremie) and special micro credit schemes SMEs are supported through national financial intermediaries. Furthermore he mentioned that the European Investment Bank gives warranties and risk capital to start ups. As the practice of the EIB has shown especially micro credits are used by female entrepreneurs. In addition to that Mr Fontaine Vive explained that a lot of the available money is not used by SMEs because the applications are often too time consuming and bureaucratic. The second speech was held by Angelika NIEBLER, Chairwoman of the EP Committee on Industry, Research and Energy. She emphasized the importance of national and local support for women in business. Concerning the aspect of microcredits she stressed that all studies showed that commercial banks are keen on giving microcredits to women. She came up with statistics regarding women in business and she mentioned that in the male dominated sectors women presence is still very low. Furthermore she argued that women are very successful in founding new businesses and at the same time have to divide their time between their business and family life. Angelika Niebler MEP stressed SME policy is the key element for growth and jobs. |
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Alessandra PERRAZZELLI, Head of International Affairs of Intesa Sanpaolo was the third speaker during the SME Women Lunch Debate. In her daily work she is dealing with general issues concerning people, as family and work issues. She argued that women entrepreneurs are more related to businesses in the area of services and they have the ability of translating ideas into business. For her one of the most important issues is to have more women at the top level of companies. The next speaker was Anna DANTI from DG Enterprise and Industry, Unit E1 'Entrepreneurship'. She mentioned two important issues for the women in business today: on the one hand the access to network and on the other hand the access to financing. Regarding the access to financing the European Commission plans to increase the financing instruments available for 2007 – 2013 as the access to financing is often quite difficult for female entrepreneurs. The conclusions of these interesting statements were drawn by Maria CAPPONE, Vice-President of SME Women, Bulgarian Observer in the European Parliament 2005-2006. She summed up that the most important for women entrepreneurs is the access to information concerning e.g. networks and different EU founding resources. The director of SME Women, Ildiko VOLLER-SZENCI thanked the participants and speakers and announced that SME Women will continue to push forward this important issue.
Women on Boards-Bulgaria
Women in Industry
Women Matter
Women on Boards EU |
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2008-01-23, Brusels, SME UNION Working Breakfast on Small Business Act for Europe
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On Wednesday morning, 23 January the SME UNION of the EPP in cooperation with UEAPME organized a Working Breakfast in the European Parliament on "A Small Business Act for Europe". The Working Breakfast was moderated by Othmar Karas MEP, Vice-President of the EPP Group, President of the SME Intergroup and member of the SME Circle. UEAPME warmly welcomed the announcement made by the European Commission to examine a range of initiatives to back SMEs, in the form of a Small Business Act for Europe in 2008. The keynote speech was given by Jiri PLECITY, Member of Cabinet Commission Vice-President Verheugen. Luc Hendrickx, Director of Enterprise Policy & External Relations UEAPME, mentioned it is an important step in the continuous engagement of this Commission towards SMEs and the last chance for the EU to deliver a concrete answer to small businesses’ needs before the Parliamentary elections and the European Commission’s renewal in 2009. Another impulse statement was given by Catherine GRAS, Deputy Director General, Direction for trade, craft, French Ministry of Economics, Finance and Employment. The aim of the SBA (European Small Business Act) should be to create the best possible environment for micro- and small enterprises, and to give a concrete answer to the different challenges SMEs are facing along their life-cycle. It should be geared by respect for the entrepreneurs and for their invaluable contribution to society. The core of the SBA should be a legally binding instrument, which should also serve as a legal basis for the further legislative proposals (including the basis for pilot projects).
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The existing European programs must be reoriented and restructured towards the needs of SMEs (including the kind of codification used). All European programs should in principle be open for SMEs and the different programs need to be made more accessible for SMEs and SME organizations (including reduction of red tape, faster reimbursement). Furthermore, there is a need to screen existing programs in order to better respond to the needs of SMEs. Small enterprises need efficient IPR protection to foster their innovation efforts and to protect them against unfair competition from outside the European Union. They also need better skills and enhanced mobility opportunities. Moreover Small enterprises need a more protective environment and they need level playing fields as regards international trade. Small enterprises need more support in the field of transfer of business and they also need support to access foreign markets. Last but not least Small enterprises need public support to implement the flexicurity concept they need support to exploit their full potential on energy saving and environmental protection. |
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2008-01-30, Brussels, SME UNION Working Breakfast on Protecting IPRs in China
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On Wednesday morning, 30 January the SME UNION of the EPP in cooperation with Austria Wirtschaftsservice (aws) organized a Working Breakfast in the European Parliament on “IPRs in China: Chances and Challenges for SMEs”. The Working Breakfast was moderated by Paul RÜBIG MEP, President of SME Global. In his introduction statement Rübig first thanked SME UNION for the organization of this event, he welcomed all the speakers and stressed the importance of addressing the theme of Intellectual Property Rights. The second speaker of the day was Verena NOWOTNY, Austria Wirtschaftsservice, Intellectual Property Management, Office Shanghai. She said that Patents are the currencies of a knowledge based economy and stressed the importance of intellectual property. Concerning the situation in China Nowotny said that bureaucracy and corruption are present and language barriers are always a problem. Having no IPR in China means you have no legal base for defending yourself. |
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The next speaker, Georg BUCHTELA, Austria Wirtschaftsservice, Head of Intellectual Property Management explained that the most important step is to make SMEs recognize the value of Intellectual Property assets, trademarks or patterns. He said that China built up its own IPRs whereas Japan and South Korea had no IPRs of their own. He added that China imposed heavy control, an anti monopoly law, measures to control the foreign investment and a new patent law. The fourth speaker of the Working Breakfast was Stephanie MITCHELL, Policy Officer, DG Enterprise and Industry, European Commission. She made clear that counterfeiting is an important phenomenon and available figures leave no doubt about it: the level of counterfeit suggests that it could amount to at least 2% of world trade. She mentioned that counterfeiting has several negative consequences and DG Enterprise and Industry is directly concerned with the fact that the competitiveness of firms is undermined. Taking into account that China is the main source of identified counterfeit goods DG Enterprise and Industry decided to develop a Helpdesk that will serve EU SMEs with first line advice on how to cope with IPR protection in China. Mitchell explained that the service will offer also multilingual guides and info kits in order to reach the EU SME community more easily and to spread the knowledge more widely.
Anti-Counterfeiting Initiatives
Counterfeiting Inventory
Enterprise Europe Magazine
Innovation Programme
Austria Wirtschaftsservice |
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2008-02-06/07 Madrid, EPP Political Bureau - Successes for SME UNION
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At the EPP Political Bureau meeting in Madrid the SME UNION supported the Partido Popular in its campaign for the Spanish parliamentary elections and established a closer connection to the Spanish Conservative party. Co-President Peter Jungen was the SME UNION spokesman for the EPP document on Combating Climate Change. Eight out of ten SME UNION amendments were adopted in the document. The SME UNION as an EPP association was among the other six associations accepted now as Member Association of the EPP which makes the relations to the European People`s Party even stronger. Patrick Moulin, SME Union France Secretary General and President of SME Aerospace, Defense & Security was unanimously elected as EPP Internal Auditor. The SME UNION family congratulates Patrick Moulin to this important nomination and looks back at a very successful EPP summit in Madrid.
More information |
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2008-02-13, Brussels, SME UNION Working Breakfast on „The Internal Market for Goods: Mission Accomplished?"
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On Wednesday morning, 13 February the SME UNION of the EPP organized a Working Breakfast in the European Parliament on "The Internal Market for Goods: Mission Accomplished?". The Working Breakfast was moderated by Jacques TOUBON MEP, Member of EP Internal Market and Consumer Pro-tection Committee. In his introduction statement Toubon stressed out the im-portance of the free flow of goods within the Single Market. He also gave a short update on the new Internal Market package that will be due to vote in the European Parliament in the Week from 18 February 2008. The Second Speaker, Adrian HARRIS, Secretary General of ORGALIME considered this package to be a step in the right direction, but there would still be too many barriers for the free flow of trade. He pointed out the need for rules that are applied in the same way everywhere, no matter what product or country, for an improved market surveillance and legal certainty for companies. Annette DRAGSDAHL, Senior Advisor, Confederation of Danish Industry, presented the results of a recently published study stating that there is still an unrealized potential of 2,1 % of GDP in the European Union due to trade barriers. The comprehensive application of the mutual recognition principal would state a possible solution to this problem. |
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“The mission is accomplished, but this is not the end of the story”, Ghyslaine GUISOLPHE, Head of Unit in the European Commission, DG Enterprise. She then explained the so called “new approach”, the free market package now follows. It contains free market conformity controls, guidelines for further and better regulations as well as the more user friendliness and thus more SME friendliness. Marteen HAIJER of the Permanent Representation of the Netherlands at the European Union reminded the audience, that this package may be well recognized by European Parliament and Commission, but will only be effective through transition in the member states. He also stated that the freedom of the movement of goods is the best “working” freedom but that there is still a lot to do: SMEs particularly need legal certainty, but no exception of internal market principals. After an interesting discussion, in which it was made clear, that SMEs would not be helped by exceptions of quality standards, as their products might be recognized as low quality, Schwab summed up all the opinions heard. The main principle should be that there are only single rules, but a fair and transparent system.
Regulatory Policy and Simplification
The Internal Market for Goods - Mission completed? |
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2008-02-19, Strasbourg, France, SME UNION President Leitl and EPP-ED President Daul vow for even stronger cooperation in run-up to European elections
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SME UNION President Christoph Leitl met Joseph Daul, President of the group of the European People’s Party in the European Parliament, on Tuesday in Strasbourg. During their Working Breakfast held in the morning before the SME UNION Presidency, Christoph Leitl emphasized that the cooperation between the SME UNION of the EPP with the EPP-ED Group will be even stronger in the coming, decisive years. The MEPs will receive strong support from SME UNION, the business organization of the European People's Party, in the run-up to the elections to the European Parliament in summer 2009. Key issue will be the enhanced cooperation between the SME Circle of the EPP-ED Group with SME UNION. EPP-ED President and French UMP MEP Josef Daul assured the support for the SME UNION from the French UMP for the upcoming French EU Council Presidency. As SMEs and the Small Business Act will be in the center of attention, this cooperation will be crucial.
Press Release |
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2008-02-19, Strasbourg, France, SME UNION President Leitl and EU Commissioner Verheugen agree on concrete proposals to address concerns of SMEs in three months, not in three years
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SME UNION President Christoph Leitl met in Strasbourg EU SME Commissioner Verheugen in charge of enterprise and industry. “EU Commission Vice-President Verheugen and I fully agree that the efforts to address the concerns of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Europe have to speed up”, said SME UNION President Christoph Leitl after his meeting with Günter Verheugen. The SME UNION, the business organization of the EPP, urges the European Commission to propose a Small Business Act (SBA) in order to provide binding guidelines and provisions tailored especially for SMEs. Leitl and Verheugen also discussed the progress made in the fight against red tape: To support and stimulate the Commission’s „High Level Expert Group” for Better Regulation, the SME UNION together with EUROCHAMBRES and Jade - has set up a „Low” Level Group of real entrepreneurs. President Leitl underlinded that concrete results must be on the table by this June, if this Commission still plans to realistically implement these measures.
Press Release |
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2008-02-26, Brussels, SME UNION Telecom Conference with EU Commissioner Reding
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The Telecom Conference on "The Future of European Telecommunications: Convergence – Competition – Growth” " was organized by the SME UNION of the European People’s Party in cooperation with the SME Circle in Brussels on 26 February 2008. Eminent speakers, representatives of the EU Parliament, Permanent Representative Slovenia and several guests from economic and entrepreneurial sectors took part at the event. A special guest of honor was EU Commissioner for Information Society and Media, Viviane Reding. |
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The Conference started with the opening and introductory remarks of Paul Rübig MEP. He mentioned to the over 80 guests at the Crowne Plaza Hotel the European Commission proposal on telecom area as an excellent basis for the discussion on the telecom crossborder issues. His opinion is that an independent debate will be helpful for everybody. Viviane Reding, Commissioner for Information Society and Media, was the keynote speaker. She postulated that Europe is a mobile continent with 27 national regulators and no consistency. She believes that the EU needs to have a regulatory consistency of the internal market and claimed a common decision for all the 27 Member States. SMEs are producing top level material but they don’t use this technology. To this regard solutions must be found, jointly elaborated in a dialogue process with the SMEs.
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The first panel started with the speech of Malcolm Harbour MEP, SME UNION Vice-President, Rapporteur on the Universal Service and Users’ Rights Directive. He pointed out that the Radio Spectrum is one of the biggest obstacles to a free community market because the markets are regulated at national level. Radio Spectrum is crucial for the future, we have to use it in a more financial friendly way and having spectrum licenses is the way to go. Mary Veronica Tovšak Pleterski, Deputy Permanent Representative of Slovenia added that the EU needs to promote single communication market achieved throughout measures in place at Europe level and national level. The exiting framework has already produced an important progress. This should be kept in mind when we are discussing about the revision of the packages.
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After a fruitfull discussion the second panel moderated by Piia-Noora Kauppi MEP, SME UNION Vice-President started. She demanded “what does telecom means for business?”. Larry IRVING, President of Irving Information Group, former US Assistant Secretary of Commerce and chief architect on telecom package in the Clinton administration pointed out that we have to make sure to build sufficient capacity using
the internet communication in different ways. He underlined that access to communication will make our planet more sustainable. Gunnar HÖKMARK MEP, observed that the SMEs access to communication changes the balance between big and small companies. The chance and challenge for Europe. Kaisu KARVALA, President of TeliaSonera Belgium, Chairman of GSM Europe pointed out that the broadband is the future. The last speaker of this panel was Olivia REGNIER, Deputy Regional Director and Regional Legal Counsel, IFPI. She detailed the access data problems and emphasized that copyrights has to be protected.
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Jacques TOUBON MEP concluded the discussion and emphasized that the subsidiary principle has to be observed and we also need a SME friendly internet economic model.
Olivia Regnier presentation |
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2008-02-27, SME UNION Working Breakfast on Road Transport and Freight Logistics
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On Wednesday morning, 27 February the SME UNION of the EPP organized a Working Breakfast in the European Parliament on “Road Transport and Freight Logistics on the Roads of Europe”. The Working Breakfast was moderated by Markus FERBER MEP, EP Committee on Transport and Tourism. In his introduction Ferber first of all thanked SME UNION for organizing the working breakfast, he welcomed all the speakers and emphasized the importance of this theme. The second speaker of the day was Kerstin JORNA, EU Commission, Deputy Head of Cabinet of Commission Vice-President and EU Transport Commissioner Jaques Barrot. She focused her speech on sustainable transport and mobility and the “20-20-20 rule for 2020”,which is an European Council objective. The second point which is very important from her point of view is to emphasize the importance of logistics. There are a lot of problems with long distance transport and because of that the existing modes should be combined. These modes are the intermodul platform, bottleneeds and the greencorridors. There should be a consultation on European maritime transport space, motorways of the sea and freight-orientated rail network. The best way to succeed is when stakeholders and member states are working together. |
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The next speaker, Anne Mette Koch BANGSGAARD, Confederation of Danish Commercial Transportation and Service Industries presented HTS at the beginning. After the short introduction she talked about the increased importance of road and sea transport in the last few years and that liberalisation of cabotage is also very significant. Referring to the greenhouse gas emissions it should be said that the Commission destroys the competition by the CO2 emission control. Because it is not the same in every country so there exists the need of a balance between the member states. The last speaker, Corien WORTMANN-KOOL MEP, EP Committee on Transport and Tourism, SME Women President and EPP Vice-President, said that sustainable transport is the most important target. This can be achieved by multimodality, due to the high amount of traffic. In her opinion transport is the backbone of the economy. Important measures are the logistics action plans, internalizing of external costs and the impact assessements. Free cabotage by the year 2014 is an aim.
Summary of the event
Anne Mette Koch Bangsgaard Presentation |
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2008-03-04, Brussels, SME UNION Working Breakfast on the Sustainable Future Campaign
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The Working Breakfast on SMEs’ Contribution towards a Sustainable Future was organized by the SME UNION of the European People’s Party in cooperation with the SME Global in Brussels on 4 March 2008. The Working Breakfast was hosted and moderated by Paul Rübig MEP, President of SME Global. In his introduction, he thanked SME UNION for organizing the working breakfast, welcomed all the speakers and emphasized the importance of this theme. The first speaker was Joseph MANTL, the CEO of Josef Mantl Communications (JMC). He gave an overview of the Sustainable Future Campaign, which was designed in cooperation with the United Nations. He stressed the importance of the communicational and educational platforms.
He mentioned the discussions between the politicians and the scientists that lead to a debate on sustainable future and promoted the general thought of sustainability. In its activity it strived to get a network by the opinion leading associations in order to support UN as an organization for encouraging the sustainable development campaigns.
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The second speaker of the day was Imola BEDÖ, Policy Officer of the DG Environment of European Commission, who spoke about the programmes and the main areas for SMEs that European Commission is focusing on. She pointed out that bigger companies can more easily recognise and adapt to the challenges, as they have the necessary human and financial resources. However, she believes that we need to have SMEs on board for an efficient environmental policy. She added that the SMEs are the motor of the EU economy, but for that they need our assistance. Therefore, the European Commission set up the Environmental Compliance Assistance Programme for SMEs, with a clear focus on micro and small companies. The next speaker was Nora HAHNKAMPER; from the Austrian Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management, who mentioned the first of all the Lisbon strategy, which was just on the table at the Environmental Council, where the Environmental Ministers emphasized the “role of SMEs in shifting Europe’s economy to a more sustainable pathway”. She added that the Environmental impact of the SMEs are also because they are often over-represented in industrial sectors. Therefore, there is the potential of significant progress towards sustainable development. She pointed out 3 “routes” to achieve such environmental fields: further development of environmental policy; assistance in compliance with environmental regulations; incentivization through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Unfortunately, it appears that the main obstacles are the lack of awareness about SMEs’ environmental impacts and economic benefits, as well as financial constraints. At the end of her speech she encouraged the initiative of the Sustainable Future Campaign.
Nora Hahnkamper presentation
Imola BEDÖ presentation
Sustainable Future Campaign |
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2008-03-05 Brussels, SME UNION Working Breakfast on WTO Doha Round
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The SME UNION in cooperation with EuroCommerce and Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) organized a working breakfast on WTO 2008 – What is at stake for SMEs? The director of Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung EU Office Peter R. Weilemann welcomed the moderator of the working breakfast Iuliu Winkler MEP and the participants. Iuliu Winkler MEP introduced the speakers and mentioned the Single Window Concept traders, obligations to submit information to Governments in order to fulfill import or export related regulatory requirements has increased its importance in the international environment. He mentioned that on EU level, bilateral trade agreements should be considered also in the future. However, they are not an alternative to DOHA round of negotiations in the WTO. In his speech he also highlighted that the evolution of WTO will impact on SMEs future trade capabilities. The Keynote speaker Paolo Garzotti, Deputy Head of Unit DG Trade mentioned the DOHA round of the WTO negotiations, and spoke about the European Commission’s aims in the debate and SME role in world trade and environment.
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The impulse statement was given by Heinz Werner, CEO of Heinz Werner GmbH who stressed the fact that 95% of all companies, represented by EuroCommerce and 99% represented by EUROCHAMBRES are SMEs and they are the most dynamic and job-creating economic engine. He indicated SMEs need predictability, time horizon, information and flexibility is a crucial criterion for their development. SMEs are striving for open markets without trade barriers as they are able to operate in markets where there is no global player. Open markets are also important for the diversity of the SMEs. SMEs are lacking the know-how at international trade and human resources. He underlined that SMEs can survive and be successful only in the WTO framework and we should have easy and uncomplicated rules. Ralph Kamphöner, Senior Adviser International Trade, EuroCommerce, concluded the discussions, mentioning SMEs as the backbone of economy.
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2008-03-26 Brussels, Conference on “Family Businesses: Sustainability & Challenges in the EU”
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The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and the Small and Medium Entrepreneurs Union of the European People´s Party (EPP) organized an event in the Hotel Renaissance Brussels on the very important topic “Family Businesses: Sustainability & Challenges in the EU” where around 100 guests participated. |
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The first moderator Allen Blewitt, CEO, ACCA emphasized the importance of this topic. He warmly welcomed the first speaker, Othmar Karas MEP, SME Intergroup President. Othmar Karas first congratulated for chosing that topic. It is not only a personal preference but SMEs and family businesses are the backbone of our society. They are flexible and close to customers and the employees are higher motivated. The next speaker Richard Aitken-Davies, Deputy President of ACCA is delighted to be working together with SMEs. It is very important from his point of view to reduce administrative burdens for SMEs. 60% of employees are working for or in SMEs and 73% of all SMEs are family owned so it is a very central topic. The moderator of the first panel was Corien Wortmann-Kool MEP, President of SME Women, EPP Vice-President. She also mentioned in the beginning how much that topic means to her. Sylvia Vlaeminck, Head of Unit – Crafts, small businesses, cooperatives and mutuals, DG Enterprise and Industry, European Commission said how difficult it is to agree on one definition for family business. Actually there is no definition but there are special elements for family businesses like ownership, involvement in the management and the time element which help to characterize them. Ben Butters, Director for European Affairs, EUROCHAMBRES talked about the main challenges for family businesses. Among them are administrative burdens, regulatory burdens, taxation and access to finance. They challenge mostly the same problems as SMEs do, but they have specific ones which have to be faced. Professor Robin Jarvis, Head of Small Business, ACCA spoke about transferring the ownership. Most of the owners would rather close their company than transfer it to another owner because they think that the value is not high enough. And he also mentioned the irrational aspect which influences the decisions a lot - their lives are their business. |
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The second panel was moderated by Giles Chichester MEP, Member of SME Circle. The first speaker of the second panel was Ludo van der Heyden, Professor of Family Enterprises, Ex-Wendel Chair for large family firms, INSEAD. He said that family business is one of the hottest topics on the market right now. The key strategy for family businesses is to focus on something or to specialize. For example in the car industry the supplier base is in the hands of family businesses. From his point of view the first problem is that there is no definition for family business. The second problem is that we have to distinguish between family firms and SMEs. Andrea Benassi, Secretary General, UEAPME sees the lack of workforce as one of the major problems. Therefore it is necessary to introduce an observatory on school level because that is the most important stage for improving the image of entrepreneurs. The other problem in his opinion is that transferring business is a national competence so it is very complicated for the EU to deal with that problem. The last speaker was Philip Aminoff, Chairman, European Group of Owner Managed and Family Enterprises (GEEF). He also thinks that it is very important to have a definition for family businesses because as soon as we know what it is, there is the possibility to measure. And he said how important it is to understand business on the one hand but also privacy on the other hand because otherwise there is no chance to give helpful advices.
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Afterwards a networking lunch in the European Parliament was organized. David Doyle, Head of the EU Parliamentary Affairs of ACCA moderated the lunch session. Thanks to the fruitful cooperation with David Doyle the entire day and all the events were perfectly prepared and rolled out. Among the speakers was Ingo Friedrich MEP, Member of the EP Committee on Constitutional Affairs, Honorary President of SME UNION and Malcom Harbour MEP, Member of the EP Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection, Vice-President of SME UNION as well as two speakers from the morning who were Richard Aitken-Davies and Philip Aminoff. The conclusions in the end were made by Prof. Francis Chittenden, ACCA. As everybody could witness during this successful event this topic is of crucial importance and there are still a lot of questions which should be discussed. |
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European Parliament supports proposal for internal market on goods
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The European Commission welcomed on 21 February the adoption by the European Parliament of a broad package of measures, a framework on various horizontal aspects of marketing of products, including CE marking and other general requirements for a product to be placed on the market. The outcomes of the vote bring the package closer to the needs and expectations of European small companies, by enforcing the proportionality principle and facilitating conformity assessments for small series and made-to-measure products, which often represent crafts’ and SMEs’ core business. For industrial products existing market surveillance systems will be strengthened and for the first time aligned with import controls. Accreditation has also been introduced. This is a formal system which may now be used to ensure that conformity assessment bodies (or testing and certification laboratories) provide the high quality services that manufacturers need. The introduction of these measures serves to reinforce the role and credibility of CE marking. Improvements are also proposed for the trade with goods which do not fall under EU-legislation. From now it will also be the duty of a Member State that intends to refuse market access for products that are legally marketed in other Member States to talk to the enterprise and to give detailed objective reasons for any possible refusal, This creates new benefits for entrepreneurs as well as for consumers broadening their choice. It is expected that the Council of the EU will approve the package of measures soon, so it can enter into force next year.
More information |
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Services Directive, one year later EUROCHAMBRES survey highlights disparity in implementation
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One year after the adoption of the ‘Services Directive’, aimed at improving the provision and establishment of services across the EU, a EUROCHAMBRES survey portrays a mixed picture across Member States with regard to implementation of the Directive and involvement of relevant stakeholders. The results of the survey – carried out among 26 national Chambers of Commerce1 – show that the implementation process has progressed or at least started in the vast majority of EU Member States during the course of 2007. Chambers also indicated that they are more involved in the process than they were six months ago.But despite this overall improvement, a number of fundamental problems remain and some countries’ performance must be greatly improved if the implementation is to be positively concluded by the end of 2009.
More information |
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Commission organises forum to foster university – business cooperation
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The European Commission is organising the first European University/Business Forum on 28-29 February 2008 in Brussels. This inaugural meeting is the first of many, whose aim is to facilitate the exchange of good practice between universities and businesses, provide for mutual learning and networking, and inspire further action in the Member States. The Forum responds to calls from universities and companies for there to be a regular, lasting platform for dialogue, exchange, sharing and learning.
More information |
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A simplified business environment for companies in the areas of company law, accounting and auditing
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The EP`s Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee made proposals concerning the obligations of EU companies in the fields of company law, accounting and auditing, meeting in Brussels on February the 26th. Various administrative requirements that are regarded obsolete or disproportionate, e.g. company law Directives that mainly handle domestic situations, as for instance domestic mergers of companies or certain information obligations in the company law Directives would be removed or reduced by the proposed measures. The consultation suggests unburdening disclosure requirements plus diminishing reporting and auditing requirements for SMEs, especially by backing the “only once“ principle, meaning that companies will not have to provide the same information more than once or to more than one repicient. "Detailed, neutral, and in-depth“ evaluation of the simplification effects have to be made, above all targeting SMEs and nevertheless emphasise was put on “balance“ in order to protect the legal rights of stakeholders. The Vote in Comittee will proceed in March, the Vote in Plenary in April.
More information |
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Safety first: European Commission proposes new rules for toys
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The European Commission has come forward today with measures to improve toy safety in Europe. The Commission wants to strengthen EU-rules, especially those relating to the use of chemical substances in toys. The proposal tabled today aims at enhancing the safety of toys replacing and modernizing the 20 years old Toys Directive 88/378/EEC of 3rd May 1988. The revision has a threefold objective: first and foremost there will be new and higher safety requirements to cope with recently identified hazards, secondly it will strengthen manufacturers' and importers' responsibility for the marketing of toys and finally it enhances the market surveillance obligations of Member States.
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Small Business Act Update
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The SME UNION of the European People´s Party chose the Small Business Act for Europe as its topic of the year. For that reason, we have organized a Working Breakfast on 23 January 2008 together with UEAPME and the SME Circle discussing the need for and the opportunities of such an Act. European SMEs are recognized as the backbone of the European Economy, contributing especially to the creation of jobs, growth, stability and cohesion. This is why the EU is now trying to mainstream policy towards SMEs via a Small Business Act. The Small Business Act has to be a legally binding instrument to create certain rules and procedures to support the SMEs. It also has to tackle problems concerning the whole lifecycle of SMEs and not only the founding process. The SBA can be seen as a legal basis for further improvement. Entrepreneurs as well as interest groups already expressed their high expectations. There was an online consultation by the European Commission until end of March. The results will then be included in a report of the Commission in April or May. For further information please find attached the SME UNION Papers on the Small Business Act in a short and a long version, the SME Circle input as well as the link to the Commission´s site.
SME UNION SBA input summary
SME UNION SBA input paper
SME Circle SBA input
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SMErelated dossiers in the European Parliament
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Please find below the SME Circle of the EPP-ED Group legislative summary of current SMErelated dossiers in the European Parliament.
More information |
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| Newsletter February/March 2008 |
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