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| Newsletter March/April 2009 |
| Foreword |
| Upcoming Events |
| Service and Information |
| Latest Events |
| SME Lex |
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Dear Members of the SME UNION, dear friends of SMEs!
Since 1979, the European Parliament is directly elected every five years. The European Parliament is becoming stronger and stronger with each mandate, by fulfilling the three main roles: passing European laws, democratic supervision over the other EU institutions and holding the budgetary powers of the EU. The role of the SME UNION in close cooperation with the SME Circle continues to be promoting European small businesses as regards their legislative framework conditions.
Information – Motivation – Mobilization
Therefore it is crucial that our political family gets all the possible support from us, our members and friends. For that reason we all have to inform, motivate and mobilize our network, partners and friends to go to the polls and to become even more active in this campaign. The SME UNION prepared its election campaign manifesto “9 Good Reasons for 2009 – If business is goes well, all are well!” explaining 9 detailed reasons why entrepreneurs will vote for the European Peoples Party for the European Parliamentary Elections 2009. 9 Reasons for 2009. The up-coming three months will be full of crucial SME UNION events, also in the light of the upcoming elections:
April – EPP Congress and SME UNION conference in Warsaw
We kindly invite you to join our SME Union Poland conference “Challenges for SMEs in Times of Crisis" in Warsaw, Poland on Wednesday 29 April 2009, preceding the Plenary Session of the EPP Congress, and to the Cultural Programme the next day, Thursday 30th April 2009.
May - SME Week events and conference in Prague
Furthermore, we invite you to participate to the 1st European SME Week, organized by the European Commission that will take place from 6 to 14 May 2009. This European wide campaign will promote entrepreneurship across our continent and will inform entrepreneurs about support available for them at European, national and local level. In this framework, on 13 May in Prague, the SME UNION, the SME Union Czech Republic and Chamber partners will organize a joint conference to which you are all cordially invited.
June – SME UNION General Assembly in Athens
In the framework of the EPP-ED study days in the presence of all the new and old EPP-ED MEPs, on 29 June, our organization will hold in Athens, Greece, its General Assembly. I invite already now all our members to take an active part in this event. Further information will follow.
SME UNION Vice-President new Prime Minister of Latvia
Last but not least, I cordially congratulate our SME UNION Vice-President, MEP Valdis Dombrovskis for becoming the new Prime Minister of Latvia. Valdis has always been a very active SME UNION Vice-President and Member of the SME Circle who has fought for the rights of small and medium-sized enterprises by my side. He is definately the right choice to help Latvia to overcome the current financial crisis and emerge even stronger. Europe needs leaders like Prime Minister Dombrovskis whose focus lies on SMEs and start-ups - especially in times of economic crisis.
Further details about all these and other events and useful SME information you will find in this edition of our Newsletter. We wish you a fruitful reading and are looking forward to welcoming you at our next events.
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2009-03-26/27, Brussels, 7th European Business Summit
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BUSINESSEUROPE and the Federation of Enterprises in Belgium (FEB) – with the support of the European Commission and the EU Presidency – are pleased to present you the 7th edition of the European Business Summit (EBS9). In order to sustain its ambitions to be a strong world player – especially in current times of economic crisis – Europe should Dare and Care better. Daring means that Europe needs to become more entrepreneurial. Doing business in the EU must become easier and more rewarding. Europe should take the lead in R&D and (eco) innovation. More growth and jobs should no longer be a slogan, but a practice. Caring implies taking care of the planet and the people. Economic progress should go hand in hand with a greening society and social protection of a better skilled workforce. A strong economy, ecological protection and social dynamism are the pillars of sustainability. They will also be the recipe of Europe’s future success. Therefore, they form the three building blocks of this EBS: Financing, Staffing and Greening.
Programme |
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2009-03-26/27, Brussels, Women in Business and Politics “Where are the Women”
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Despite a general consensus to protect and empower women, they remain marginalised in decision-making. Under representation of women in politics and business still persists worldwide, including in Europe. Only six percent of ministers worldwide and ten percent of parliamentarians are women, while the so-called “glass ceiling” is still a barrier to women in the workplace. A panel debate (15.45-17.00) at the European Business Summit 2009 dealing even about the European Commission´s maternity proposals. Among the Speakers, there are Catherine Stewart, Practice Leader, Interel and Benita Ferrero - Waldner, Commissioner, External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy.
Programme |
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2009-03-31, Brussels, Working Breakfast on Solvency II – What Value for EU Citizens and SME Owners?
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The SME UNION of the EPP in cooperation with Groupama will organize a Working Breakfast to which you are all kindly invited. The event will take place Tuesday, 31 March, 8:00h – 9:30h, at the Salon des Membres in the European Parliament. Project manager Raphael FRIEWALD at +32 2 233 38 31 or sme@sme-union.eu.
Invitation |
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2009-04-01, Brussels, Working Breakfast on Energy Performance of Buildings Directive
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The SME UNION of the EPP in cooperation with the European Heating Industry will organize a Working Breakfast to which you are all kindly invited. The event will take place Wednesday, 1 April, 8:00h – 9:30h, at the Salon des Membres in the European Parliament. Project manager Zoran RUSNOV at +32 2 233 38 36 or sme@sme-union.eu.
Invitation |
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2009-04-02, Brussels, Working Breakfast on EU Anti-Trust Law & SMEs
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The SME UNION of the EPP will organize a Working Breakfast with Eurocommerce to which you are all kindly invited. The event will take place Thursday, 2 April, 8:00h – 9:30h, at the Salon des Membres in the European Parliament. Project manager Zoltan LOVAS at +32 2 233 38 32 or sme@sme-union.eu.
Invitation |
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2009-04-15, Brussels, Working Breakfast on EU Maternity Leave: Balancing Business & Babies
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The SME UNION of the EPP in cooperation with Eurochambre will organize a Working Breakfast to which you are all kindly invited. The event will take place Wednesday, 15 April, 8:00h – 9:30h, at the Restaurant des Députés in the European Parliament. Project manager Doris SCHERNHAMMER at +32 2 233 38 31 or sme@sme-union.eu. |
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2009-04-27, Brussels, Making Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) work for SMEs
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The European Commission, DG Industry and Enterprise, will organize a conference dealing with Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) that could be a vital competitive advantage for small and medium sized European businesses. Their competitiveness, creativity and innovative abilities are threatened by counterfeiting, piracy and uncertainty about enforcing their rights. Small and medium enterprises are particularly vulnerable to these risks. They often lack resources and knowledge to act against fake products or are convinced it is impossible to do so. Support for IPR enforcement is rather patchy and, at present, far less developed than support for general awareness of IPR.
Registration and Programme |
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2009-04-29, Warsaw, International Coneference on Challenges for SMEs in Times of Crisis
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UNICORN SME Union Poland in cooperation with SME UNION of the EPP and under the Honorary Patronage of Waldemar Pawlak, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of Poland will organize an International Conference to which you are all kindly invited. The event will take place Wednesday, 29 April, 9:30h – 13:30h, at the Palace of Culture and Science, in Warsaw. Project manager Ece KUTUKVEREN at +32 2 233 38 37 or sme@sme-union.eu.
Draft Programme |
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2009-05-13, Prague, SME UNION Conference and Presidency
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The SME UNION in cooperation with the SME Union Czech Republic and chamber partners will organize a conference with a subsequent SME UNION Presidency Lunch. The events will start on Tuesday 12 May evening with a Welcome Dinner; the conference and the Presidency Lunch will be held on 13 May. Further information see attached.
Programme |
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2009-10-5/6, Stockholm, Conference on the European Charter for Small Enterprises
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The next Charter conference "From the European Charter for Small Enterprises to the Small Business Act" is going to take place from 5-6 October 2009 in the conference centre "InfraCity" near Stockholm, Sweden. Registration to the conference will be possible via this website from mid-May 2009 on.
Draft Programme |
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Service and Information |
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SME UNION Vice-President new Latvian Prime Minister
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SME UNION President Leitl cordially congratulated our SME UNION Vice-President, MEP Valdis Dombrovskis for becoming the new Prime Minister of Latvia. Valdis has always been a very active SME UNION Vice-President and Member of the SME Circle who has fought for the rights of small and medium-sized enterprises. He is definately the right choice to help Latvia to overcome the current financial crisis and emerge even stronger. Europe needs leaders like Prime Minister Dombrovskis whose focus lies on SMEs and start-ups - especially in times of economic crisis.“We are looking forward to a continued close cooperation with Valdis Dombrovskis, his new government and his country and wish him all the best”, concluded SME UNION Secretary General Patrick Voller.
SME UNION Press Release |
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Overview of Family Business Relevant Issues
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Family Businesses constitute a substantial part of the existing European companies and have a significant role to play in the strength and dynamism of the European economy. The European Commission has undertaken some specific actions to study the need for and the shape of possible future policy initiatives in favor of family business, especially small and medium enterprises.
DG Enterprise and Industry Newsroom
Financial Report |
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Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs
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Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs is a new European exchange programme aimed at helping new entrepreneurs to acquire relevant skills for managing a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) by spending time working in another EU country. Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs is financed by the European Commission and operated across the EU with the help of more than 100 local, regional or national intermediary organizations competent in business support (e.g. Chambers of Commerce, business support organizations, start-up centres, etc.). Their activities are coordinated at European level by EUROCHAMBRES, the Association of European Chambers of Commerce and Industry, which acts as Support Office. Who can participate?
* New entrepreneurs who are firmly planning to set up their own business or have already started their own one within the last three years.
* Experienced entrepreneurs who own or manage an SME in the EU.
How to participate?
Over 100 intermediary organisations (IOs) have been selected to run the programme across the EU. They generally operate at national or regional level, support the new entrepreneurs (NE) and the host entrepreneurs (HS) in finding the best matches, facilitate contacts and follow the relationships before the stay abroad starts. They also offer local assistance. As part of the registration, the new entrepreneur and the host entrepreneur will have to select an IO which will act as guide and contact throughout the process.
European Commission Information
Erasmus for Young Entrepreneur Website |
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EU support for training and mobility for SMEs
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Mobility is a cornerstone of the modern European Union without borders and becomes more and more important for skills development across Europe. The European Commission strongly supports mobility by providing on the job training abroad. European enterprises, in particular apprentices and young working people, can benefit from EU support schemes on vocational and educational training, namely the Leonardo da Vinci programme, with specific emphasis on smaller firms.
Leonardo da Vinci Programme
Call for Proposal Links |
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EU Calls and Tenders open for SMEs!
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* EraSME: Boosting the role of SMEs in trans-national projects
Deadline: 31 March 2009.
An EU-backed initiative which aims to bring SMEs and research actors closer together has announced a new call for proposals.
* Entrepreneurial culture of young people, and entrepreneurship education
Deadline: 20 April 2009.
The European Commission has published a new call for proposals on "Entrepreneurial culture of young people and entrepreneurship education". This action aims to implement the Small Business Act and the Oslo Agenda for Entrepreneurship Education in Europe by promoting winning ideas in the field of education for entrepreneurship. Projects with a clear European added value will receive co-funding from the Commission.
* Service contract for the Secretariat of the European Enterprise Award
Deadline: 20 May 2009
The European Commission's Entrepreneurship and Innovation programme focuses on Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) and entrepreneurship as the key drivers of growth and jobs in Europe. The Small Business Act for Europe (SBA) adopted in 2008, sets out a comprehensive framework for action to help SMEs. It is based on ten guiding principles and a wide range of policy actions to be undertaken by both the Commission and Member States.
Contracts and Grants open
Call for Tenders-European Enterprise Awards |
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Giving SMEs the credit they need
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As small to medium-sized enterprises increasingly feel the crunch of the financial and economic crisis, a European Commission-hosted round table considered what the Union, Member States and other stakeholders can do to boost SMEs’ access to credit.
The Magazine of Enterprise policy: Improving SMSs access to financial during credit crunch |
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Dreaming of EUtopia - Constructing a Vision of an Entrepreneurial Idyll
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The Association for Competitive Technology (ACT) is an international education and advocacy group for the technology industry. Focusing on the interests of small and mid-size entrepreneurial technology companies, ACT advocates for a “Healthy Tech Environment” that promotes innovation, competition and investment. ACT has been active on issues such as intellectual property, international trade, e-commerce, privacy, tax policy and competition.
ACT presentation
Dreaming of EUtopia: Constructing a Vision of an Entrepreneurial Idyll |
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EIB rolls out SME funding scheme
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The European Investment Bank (EIB) is ramping up its support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by making up to eur 30 billion available over the next three years and providing technical assistance to microfinance institutions. The EIB was created in 1958 by the Treaty of Rome, and is the long-term lending arm of the European Union. Since the beginning of the financial crisis, the bank has moved to extend lines of credit to the auto industry, energy efficiency projects, research and development and SMEs. The European Council has urged the EIB to make funding available to small businesses in order to protect workers and kick-start the economy. EIB President Philippe Maystadt said loans would be given to banks, which would then pass credit on to small businesses. He said SMEs have been hardest hit by the current downturn and jobs are in jeopardy due to the lack of credit available from banks. Speaking at a meeting on microcredit schemes, organized by the European Parliament's committee on economic and monetary affairs, Maystadt said the EIB had been asked by member states to prioritize SMEs, and this prompted the bank to devise new lending products. "The bank already lends between eur 5 billion and eur 6 billion to banks for SMEs each year, and has now committed to lending €30 billion between 2008 and 2011. In 2008, eur 8.5 billion was given to banks across the EU, eur 5 billion of which was spent in the last quarter of the year as a response to the enfolding economic crisis," he said. To mitigate the risks taken by banks in lending to businesses, the EIB will take on half of the risk, thus reducing the capital requirements of lending institutions. He told the seminar, which was attended by MEPs and national parliamentarians from across Europe, that banks can also use the funds for "intangible" investments in research, distribution and patents. Hungarian MEP Zsolt Becsey (EPP-ED), rapporteur on a parliamentary report calling for legislation on microcredit schemes, said microcredit should be defined differently from SME credit. "Microcredit refers to loans extended to specific social groups such as women, immigrants, or the Roma Community. These are people who may have no collateral to offer, but are willing to work and want to start businesses. We are talking about businesses with 0-9 employees."
EPP-ED Press Release 24/03/2009
EurActiv Article, 13/02/2009 |
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EU Recovery Plan
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National economic rescue plans may harm Europe's global competitiveness if they are not well coordinated at EU level, says the Economics Committee in a report adopted on Wednesday, 11-02-2009. Stimulating the EU economy and its competitiveness and making financial markets function again are essential to avoid mass unemployment and create new jobs, according to the report drawn up by Elisa Ferreira (PES, PT) on the Commission's European economic recovery plan. The committee is concerned that differences between national measures in response to the economic and financial crisis could hamper the functioning of the common market and thus weaken EU's role as a global actor. Urgent steps to release EU funds, a better financial supervision system and a new global financial regulatory framework also figure among the reports recommendations.
Communication from the Commission to the European Council - A European Economic Recovery Plan, 26/11/2008
Europa.eu Press Release, 26/11/2008
UEAPME Press Newsflash, 20/02/2009
EurActiv Article, 19/02/2009 |
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New handbook on State Aid for SMEs
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A new handbook on State Aid rules for SMEs has been published, along with an explanatory sheet on the new Block Exemption Regulation. The handbook explains what state aid is in European Community law, with specific reference to its use by SMEs. It outlines the conditions for granting financial aid and provides useful definitions of technical terms.
Handbook on State Aid for SMEs |
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Boosting the Competitiveness of European SMEs – Benefits of Satellite Information and Services
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Below, you can find some information and contact details concerning:
Eurisy: Eurisy is a non profit association aiming to promote the benefits of space for European society. Its members include the European Commission, the European Space Agency, over 40 governmental space offices/agencies, international organisations, research institutions and private business involved in space-related activities. Eurisy’s mission consists in providing a framework to structure the dialogue between the space community and society, raising awareness among decision-makers, civil society and users, of the strategic importance of space for sustainable economic, environmental and social development policies. Eurisy therefore acts as a facilitator by offering an active dialogue with users and decision makers, a forum for open, free debates and a thrust for collaboration. Eurisy undertakes a programme aiming at providing a forum to final users such as SMES and representatives from European regions and cities through a cycle of conferences and workshops to assess new services based on space applications, share their practices, challenges and issues, meet with services providers and institutions and propose evolution for the future services, based on their own requirements. For more information about Eurisy:
Eurisy Website
KIS4SAT (The European Innovation Platform for Knowledge Intensive Services (KIS) in Satellite Downstream Applications) is an innovation platform aiming to stimulate the creation and growth of high potential KIS ventures/SMEs in the field of satellite applications and by providing some specific tools and services to enable them to seize new market opportunities in this field. For more information on KIS4SAT please contact:
KIS4SAT Contact
ENCADRE (European Network of Clusters for Satellite Applications Development) is a network of 20 clusters in the field of satellite and space technology applications. It aims to support enterprises located in ENCADRE clusters by providing innovation services, common technological, market and investor readiness platforms to enhance innovation in the field of applications satellite systems and to create significant added value from space and satellite navigation technologies for terrestrial applications and services. The Network intends to accelerate downstream markets based on space infrastructures, fostering joint businesses and finance opportunities for start-ups and companies in the network of clusters and incubators and sharing best practices. For more information on ENCADRE please contact:
ENCADRE Contact
The Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) is an integrated and highly performing network for business support services, including a full range of technology transfer support services. With a comprehensive range of services, the network offers a “one-stop shop” to meet all the information needs for European SMEs and entrepreneurs. EEN organisations participate in the EEN sector groups. The "Space and Aerospace" sector group deals with space related issues. The EEN has recently initiated cooperation (in technology transfer) with the ESA Technology Transfer Programme Office. For more information on the Enterprise Europe Network please contact:
EEN Contact |
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A package of solutions from the European Commission related to structural funds
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On 9 March 2009, the European Commission announced it will back job creation by investing an unprecedented Eur 105 billion in green projects under the EU's cohesion policy. The 'green' funding takes up more than 30% of the regional policy budget for 2007-2013, almost three times as much as in the last budgetary period. The Commission hopes this will boost growth and create new jobs that are unlikely to flee to emerging economies such as China and India. Commenting on the Commission's proposal to extend cohesion funding to energy-efficiency and renewable energy measures in housing, Regional Policy Commissioner Danuta Hübner said: "This is a win-win measure. It will save energy, cut emissions, bring down fuel bills for the most vulnerable in society and help the construction industry and SMEs in particular. We hope that the Council and the European Parliament will adopt this proposal without delay and that member states will move quickly to set up schemes to harness this investment."
Next steps:
April 2009: Plenary vote on the measure to extend EU regional development funding for energy efficiency and renewable energy investments in housing to all member states.
Europa Press Release, 9/03/2009
Euractiv, 10/03/2009 |
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How has the EU improved gender equality in the past 30 years?
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In the last 30 years the European Union has striven to seek gender equality in all aspects of its work. As a result many tangible changes over equal working conditions, discrimination and violence. To date campaigns have been varied and included the help of NGOs and charities.
Press Release, 24/02/2009 |
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2009-02-10, Brussels, SME UNION Conference on Investment in Telecoms & Innovation for SMEs
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The SME UNION organized a Telecom Conference on the 10 February 2009 in the Renaissance Hotel in Brussels. Pilar del Castillo Vera MEP warmly welcomed the participants of the conference and introduced the speakers. The first speaker, Len Cali, Senior Vice-President, External and Legislative Affairs, AT&T, presented the viewpoint of the United States, concerning the Investment of Internet, to make Broadband more affordable for the general public. To enhance the security and transparency of the Internet new services should be provided as well as better maintenance to reduce costs and burdens for the costumers. |
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The second speaker of the day, Andrea Renda, Senior Research Fellow, Center of European Policy Studies, was tackling the European perspectives. And the Strategy I 2010, which should support the usage of Broadband in Europe for all citizens, and using this as a European policy. Furthermore, he pointed out the necessity of more competition between Internet operators but also better quality of networks. Stig Myken, Managing Director, FullRate A/S (Danish SME), represented especially the SME sector, in the quality of the Managing Director of a small sized company. He emphasized the fact that not only huge companies such as AT&T can influence innovation on Telecoms, but also small and medium sized Enterprises are part of these challenges. He pointed out that neutrality of networks is most important in this kind of businesses. The MEP Malcom Harbour referred to open a competitive access and deal with fundamental issues regarding quality of networks. |
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unnar Hökmark MEP said that this whole issue needs to be carefully touched, because nowadays telecoms cause the same discussion like TV’s 10 years ago. The most important thing is the need of a rapid action, change and solutions for this topic. He reminds that telecom packages are important to be put in place and even the Council and Commission have to decide much quicker. Closing his speech by saying: “Our Future has only started.”, the last speaker Michael Shotter, Member of Commissioner Reding’s Carbinet, pointed out that this topic is just one of many which need to be discussed. He announced that it is more than difficult to maintain a neutral basis for a diverse environment such as the European Union, but needs to be pro-competitive. Pilar del Castillo Vera MEP, closed the Conference and led a fruitful discussion. |
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2009-02-10, Brussels, SME UNION participation at CEBRE Policy Cafe on SBA
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The European Commission supports SMEs and promotes the “think small first” principle. SMEs should greatly benefit from the latest proposal – Small Business Act for Europe. But how can a non-binding document with a set of 10 guidelines boost European SMEs if the main work to be done lies on the voluntary measures implemented by the Member States? That was the core of the Policy Café debate between MEPs and representatives of European business community on the day before the vote in the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy of the European Parliament (ITRE).
CEBRE Press Release |
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2009-02-12, Brussels, SME UNION Working Breakfast on Electromagnetic Fields and Human Health
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The SME UNION together with Verbund Austrian Power Grid organized a Working Breakfast concerning Electromagnetic Fields and Human Health. Paul Rübig MEP hosted this event and introduced the topic. First speaker was Gerhard Christiner, Head of Asset Management of the Austrian Power Grid AG. He pointed out that EMFs (Elettromagnetic fields) are everywhere and electricity is present everywhere in our daily lives: these are the biggest problems during a transmission procedure. The issue Austrian Power Grid faces about where build new transmission lines through Austria without disturbing citizens, landscape and laws. Even though there is a big concern on health risks, he assured that ordinary materials used are more risky.
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Second speaker was Mark Bogers, European Commission, Policy Officer-Supervisor of Electrical, Electronics and Telecom sectors, DG Enterprise and Industry. He had a very provocative speech and revealed that citizens are not well informed about it, that health issues are still unknown and that just a minority of the citizens knows the negative aspects. At the end, he mentioned that even at the beginning of railways such concerns existed as well. Last speaker of the day was Claudia Übellacker, Head of Environment Department, Mobilkom Austria Group. She mentioned that Austria is now supporting the Balkan states through their first experiences. She pointed out the difficulties Telecom companies face to assure high quality for services and not to break rules and laws. She focused on the fact that it is impossible for Mobilkom Austria to build new masts for mobile phones because of limits exposure. Again pointing out the fact that doesn’t exist any identified health risks from EMF’s. |
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At the end of the Working Breakfast, Paul Rübig introduced a brief but interesting discussion among the participants.
Verbund Presentation
Mobilkom Presentation |
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2009-02-17, Brussels, SME UNION Working Breakfast on Stimulus during Financial & Economic Crisis
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The SME UNION together with UEAPME, Microsoft and ACCA organized a Working Breakfast concerning Stimulus during Financial & Economic Crisis: The Role of Private Industries. Iuliu Winkler MEP hosted this event and introduced the topic. First speaker was Jiri Plecity, Member of the Cabinet of EU Commission Vice- President Verheugen. He pointed out that this financial & economic crisis hits the real economy very hard. The situation affects all sectors, countries and all sizes of enterprises. Actually he mentioned that in countries where the banking system is decentralized is less urgent than in countries with a centralized banking system. He regards the implementation of the Small Business Act and the access to credits for SMEs as very important.
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Second speaker was Gerhard Huemer, Dircetor for Economic and Fiscal Policy at UEAPME, the European Association of Craft, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, pointed out the important role of SMEs during this crisis as they stay innovative. Recent observations have shown that the reduction of employment in SMEs has been less dramatic as in other companies. He criticized that large private banks have actually stopped SME-financing. He urged the European Commission to review the IFRS and Basel II. Moreover, he mentioned that the Small Business Act was designed in “good weather times” and that some elements have to be improved. Cliff Reeves, General Manager for Strategic and Emerging Businesses of Microsoft, emphasized that innovation is the only sustainable driver to stimulate growth. He said that every new trend was initiated by a start-up-company in the last years, struggling for money at the beginning. Microsoft is supporting entrepreneurs and students giving them free access to their developments. Microsoft BizSpark supports start-ups by giving them the possibility to use Microsoft software for free for a period of 3 years. |
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Last speaker of the day was Rosana Mirkovic, Senior Policy Adviser of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), who mentioned that in SMEs the entrepreneurial spirit is highly developed. She focused on the advantages of SMEs, which are more flexible, which can respond more quickly and where no management structures are slowing down the processes. As regards innovation the EU lacks behind the USA and Japan. However, the EU will play an even more important role than national governments as regards overcoming this financial & economic crisis. Concluding this Working Breakfast by Iuliu Winkler MEP and a question and answer round with some discussion followed and finished the event. |
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2009-03-03, Brussels, SME UNION Working Breakfast on Rheumatic Disease as an Economic Challenge – What can Europe do?
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The SME Union together with European Association Against Rheumatism (EULAR) organized a Working Breakfast on the topic of Rheumatic Diseases as Economic Challenge in Europe. The moderation and introduction was made by Paul Rübig, Honorary President of SME Health and MEP Committee on Industry, Research and Industry. He emphasized on the importance of health in our life. Although in the European Union only 1 % of the budget is used for the health sector, it is an important topic for the upcoming elections in June. |
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The first speaker, Ferdinand Breedveld, the President of EULAR and Professor of Rheumatology, gave an overview about the current situation of people suffering of rheumatic diseases or arthritis who are one third of the population in industrialized countries. Rheumatic diseases cause the highest cost in the health sector. Furthermore, affected people are more likely to experience unemployment. Specially while having to face a loss of working force in Europe, it is important to use the potential of those people. Gustav Lindgren, the second speaker, is Counselor at the Permanent Representation of Sweden to the EU and gave a general idea about Health and Safety at work as being an expert in this field. He claims that at work the social surrounding and health are important issues that have to be considered in policy making. |
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The third speaker, Alojz Peterle, former Prime Minister of Slovenia and Member of the SME Circle praised the SME Union for its strategic way of thinking as it put health as an obligatory subject in strategic planning. He claims that more investments have to be taken into the field of prevention. The cross-border-health-care-directive which will be implemented later this year by the European Commission should provide information for the European Population about health issues. Health is still a competence of the Member States but the EU can be a role model in this area when starting initiatives. Josef Smolen, Professor and Chairman of the Department of Rheumatology of the University of Vienna, mentioned as the forth speaker the importance to emphasize investments in research. Although there have been two written declarations of the EP, no actual money transfer to R&D occurred. A question round concluded the working breakfast. |
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2009-03-5/8, Kiev, Ukraine, SME UNION of the EPP fact finding Mission
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The SME UNION of the EPP visited the Ukrainian SME organization, the Ukrainian Reform Support Foundation (URSF) with the aim to find out how well it fulfills common criteria set towards candidates for SME UNION membership on 5th-8th March 2009 to Kiev, Ukraine. Delegation leader was Jerzy Samborski, Vice-President SME UNION and members of the delegation were Luc Vandeputte, Deputy Secretary General European People’s Party; Patrick Voller, Secretary General of the SME UNION of the EPP; Patrick Moulin, President of the SME Aerospace & Defence Working Group, Secretary General, SME UNION France; Galina Fomenchenko, Advisor of EPP, Expert on Ukrainian politics; Cezary Koczerga, Secretary General, Unicorn SME UNION Poland; Barbara Frontini Bizjak, Head of Office SME UNION. The meeting gave opportunity to present the mission and organization structures of the SME UNION as well as to tell about the role of the EPP in the EU to the hosts and persons the delegation met. |
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On Thursday 5 March, the first day of the trip, the delegation met with the Board members of SME UNION applicant Ukraine Reform Support Foundation (URSF), which is politically linked to Yulia Tymoshenko Bloc, Viktor Pynzenik, former Finance Minister of Ukraine and Head of URSF; Ihor Hryniv, MP, Head of URSF board directors; Olexandr Iarema, Executive Director of URSF. The exchange of views was very lively and positive. Afterwards the delegation had lunch with Kostyantyn Vachshenko, Advisor to Ukraine’s Prime Minister Tymoshenko on Entrepreneurship Affairs where they discussed the current political situation and the current situation of SMEs in Ukraine. After the lunch the delegation met Eduard Kuznietsov, Deputy Director General of National Space Agency of Ukraine. And the dinner was with Soboliev Serhiy, MP and Ihor Hryniv, MP, Head of URSF board directors. |
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On Friday 6 March, the second day of the trip, the meeting with several heads of Ukrainian SMEs gave opportunity to present the mission and organization structures of the SME UNION as well as to tell about the role of the EPP in the EU. As a next step, SME UNION Presidency will be informed on 13 May this year about the results and on 29 June 2009, Annual SME UNION General Assembly will be hold in Athens, Greece, where also all the new EPP-ED Members of the European Parliament will meet for the first time after the European Parliament elections beginning of June and our SME UNION members will vote URSF. Furthermore the meeting with Andriy Strannikov, Director of Institute of Political Education gave the chance of finding out more about the organization. The delegation had lunch with Valeriy Zhaldak, First Deputy Director of the Coordination Bureau for the preparation and holding of final part of EURO 2012 Football Championship. The EURO 2012 will be jointly organized from Ukraine and Poland and provides many opportunities for SMEs. Also representatives of SME organizations in the regions were visited. On Saturday 7 March after sightseeing, the delegation had lunch together with Head of URSF before returning to Brussels. |
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2009-03-04, Eurisy and SME UNION Working Breakfast on Boosting the Competitiveness of European SMEs – The Benefits of Satellite Information and Services
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On Wednesday 4 March 2009 over 40 distinguished representatives from the European Parliament, the European Commission, the business sector and the space community came together for a Working Breakfast in the European Parliament to learn more about how satellite information and services help boosting the competitiveness of SMEs.
A best practice presentation was given by Hyotypaperi, a small Finnish company which recycles forest residues for energy production, using satellite applications to improve all levels of the supply chain. Mr Hovi pointed out the considerable economic advantages obtained through the use of these innovative satellite tools for his company.
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The Working Breakfast featured a keynote presentation from Dr Colin Hicks, Eurisy President, who gave concrete examples on how SMEs can profit from satellite applications to improve their competitiveness and profitability and he explained Eurisy’s support initiative for SMEs. Following Dr Hick’s presentation Stefan Nonneman, Head of Space policy and coordination unit, DG Enterprise and Industry, outlined the importance of reliable space infrastructure for the provision of reliable services from which SMEs can benefit. The Member of the European Parliament Malcolm Harbour chaired and moderated the meeting while his colleague Christian Rovsing wrapped up the session by acknowledging the importance of satellite applications for the economic development of SMEs. |
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During the discussion the participants agreed that further work needs to be done to facilitate the access of SMEs to the important benefits they can receive from already existing satellite information and services and those which are still under development. The audience underlined the importance of supporting the transition from R&D to readily available services for SMEs, and of providing them with training and capacity building mechanisms.
Presentation Hicks
Presentation Nonneman
Presentation Hovi
For more information see:
Eurisy Website
The European Innovation Platform for Knowledge Intensive Services in Satellite Downstream Applications
European Network of Clusters for Satellite Applications Development
The Enterprise Europe Network
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2009-03-17/21, Brussels, SME UNION hosts 20 Austrian Entrepreneurs
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The SME UNION of the EPP in cooperation with the Austrian member organization Österreichischer Wirtschaftsbund hosted for 4 days an intensive mentoring visitors program. 20 selected young and high-potential entrepreneurs, which are closely related to the EPP and Austrian People’s Party, had the great opportunity to learn from inside how the European Parliament, the EU Commission and the Council are working. The SME UNION and lobbying umbrella organizations such as EUROCHAMBRES and UEAPME as well as the European People’s Party itself were visited with great interest and fruitful and remarkable discussions followed after each speaker. The main purpose of the trip was greatly fulfilled with positive feedback: the jungle of the EU networks gave the floor to a new awareness about the European institutions.
Programme
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2009-03-18, Brussels, SME UNION Working Breakfast on the Automotive Block Exemption Regulation
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The SME UNION of the EPP together with the Austrian Federal Association of Motor Vehicle Dealers organized a Working Breakfast on the Automotive Block Exemption Regulation. The event was hosted by Paul Rübig MEP, who welcomed the crowded room with more than 60 participants. Keynote Speaker was Christoph Konrad, MEP from Germany, Rapporteur on the current Block Exemption Regulation for the Automotive Industry and Member of the SME Circle Presidency who outlined the importance of this regulation. The first impulse statement was given by Paolo Cesarini, Head of Unit, Antitrust: Consumer goods, Basic industries, Agriculture and Manufacturing in the European Commission. He explained the work the Commission does to support independent car dealers. Finally Othmar Karas, MEP, President SME Intergroup, Member of the SME Circle, strongly pointed out the necessity of the prolongation of this regulation. He wished that the European Institutions would continue keeping the automotive industry in a balanced competition between dealers and consumers. The event ended with a closing statement of Paul Rübig and a very fruitful and interesting discussion from all participants.
The future of the Automobile sector in Europe, Article MEP Konrad |
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Commission to cut red tape for micro-enterprises?
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In line with the European Commission's Better Regulation external strategy, this proposal - as all major policy initiatives and legislative proposals - is accompanied by an impact assessment. According to the Commission, the proposal could be a significant contribution to efforts aimed at reducing overall administrative costs by 25% by 2012. The European Commission plans to ditch accounting requirements for the EU's smallest companies in an effort to ease the administrative burden and save each business up to Eur 1,200 per year, or a total of Eur 6.3 billion. To qualify, companies must meet two of three requirements set out by the Commission:
* A balance sheet total of not more than Eur 500.000
* A net turnover of not more than Eur 1.000.000
* Not more than ten employees.
EC Consultation
European Voice Article, 12/03/2009
EurActiv Article, 2/03/2009 |
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VAT reductions to boost SMEs
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10 March 2009, the financial and economic crisis pushed EU finance ministers, during the ECOFIN Council, to agree on a deal to apply reduced sales tax on local services such as meals, haircuts and home repairs, ending a decade of haggling to help local businesses. The deal is part of a wider package to help the EU's smaller businesses, which tend to be local. Unanimity is required in all EU tax matters, which led to a decade of negotiations which ended up with key concessions to several countries in return for their support. Cyprus was allowed to continue levying reduced rates on liquid gas cylinders, Portugal on its bridge tolls in Lisbon and Sweden was successful in extending reduced rates to audio books from printed books. Britain won backing for a two-year extension to use a so-called reverse charge mechanism for tackling VAT fraud.
UEAPME Press Statement, 10/03/2009
EurActiv Article, 11/03/2009
UEAPME Newsflash, 13/03/2009 |
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Czechs vow to revive Community Patent talks
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Czech Deputy Prime Minister Alexandr Vondra, responsible for EU affairs, has pledged to work towards devising an EU-wide Community patent. Describing the existing system as "fragmented and inefficient," he said Europe's intellectual property infrastructure is stifling innovation and holding back progress on the Lisbon Agenda. Vondra said the high cost of filing patents is a major barrier for SMEs and is proving to be a disincentive to bringing new products to market. He called on the EU to prioritize negotiations on a Community patent and find ways to achieve significant savings in translation and procedural requirements.
EurActiv Article, 6/03/2009 |
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Committee approve Karas' report on bank regulation
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On 9 March the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee approved a report by Othmar Karas MEP, President of the SME Intergroup which proposes to improve the transparency and the supervision of the financial system. The report was approved by 21 votes in favour, 4 against and 8 abstentions, and amends the"Capital Requirements" Directives. It seeks to improve risk management and avoid a repetition in future of the current banking crisis, with bank failures putting pressure on other banks and leaving the whole financial system at risk.
EP Press Release, 10/03/2009 |
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SBA: green light from the European Parliament
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Small and medium-sized businesses consistently underperform compared to their American counterparts and larger companies when it comes to productivity, growth and innovation. So says the European Parliament in a report which calls on the Council and Commission to join Parliament in making the Small Business Act legally binding. The report was adopted with 536 votes in favour, 47 against and 47 abstentions. One in four cases of failure of SMEs is due to late payments, in most cases on the part of public administrations, the report says. MEPs are worried that the present credit crunch may disproportionally affect SMEs as larger customers put pressure on smaller suppliers to grant extended payment terms. Parliament therefore welcomes the Commission’s proposal to review the directive on combating late payment in commercial transactions, and calls on the Member States to improve the payment culture in their public administrations. It urges the creation at Community level of a harmonised time limit for payments, possibly shortened for payments to SMEs, and penalties for exceeding this limit.
SME UNION Press Release
European Private Company (EPC) Document, EP, 10/03/2009
Small Business Act for Europe (SBA): overview of implementation
EU Council Press Release Provisional Version Competitiveness Council (Internal Market, Industry and Research)
Background Competitiveness Council
EP Press Release, 10/03/2009
Late Payments, European Voice 12/03/2009
Late Payments, UEAPME Press Release, 19/03/2009 |
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Food label: Centre-Right MEPs would like to postpone the vote
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Progress of the proposed new food information legislation will be delayed by at least six months, as MEPs have decided to delay the vote in committee until after the parliamentary elections. The proposal for the new legislation was published in January 2008, and rapporteur Renate Sommer’s (a German centre-right MEP who is drafting the Parliament´s position on the law) report in November. Around 1000 amendments have been received to Sommer’s report, making it hugely complex and impeding compromise agreement on the main points. On Monday 16March, at the committee meeting, MEPs voted by 26 to 10 in favor of the postponement. The delay means that there will be a new round of lobbying after the elections, since some of the MEPs will have changed.
European Voice, 12/03/2009 |
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Cross-border Health: Crucial vote delayed until 31 March 2009
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The Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety has postponed the adoption of the draft report on the proposal for a directive on Patients rights in cross-border healthcare' (Rapporteur: J. Bowis, EPP-ED). Over 1000 amendments will have to be voted.
European Voice, 12/03/2009
Procedure File |
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Anti-Discrimination Directive - adoption in committee of Buitenweg Report a positive signal from the EPP-ED Group
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The EPP-ED Group has always adopted a positive approach in the fight against all forms of discrimination (ethnic or religious) and against homophobia and has always been strongly committed to the fundamental values of the European Union. The principle clearly shown by our Group was to extend protection for those concerned while ensuring legal certainty and security by avoiding a disproportionate burden on the economic actors. This was demonstrated on Monday 16 March in the vote in the Committee on Civil Liberties when the Group voted in favor of the Buitenweg Report on anti-discrimination. The EPP-ED Group has approached the negotiations from the outset with pragmatism and openness in close cooperation with the Rapporteur while remaining vigilant on the basic respect of the distribution of competences between the EU and the Member States in this sensitive area. Also with caution, ensuring that the Parliament firmly adheres to what the legal basis at EU level allows.
EPP-ED Press Release, 17/03/2009
Draft report Kathalijne Maria Buitenweg
Is the new European Anti-Discrimination Directive really necessary, Weisgerber Article |
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