A Small Business Act for Europe

Podgorica, 26 May 2008

Edward TERSMETTE

SMEs facts and figures23 million SMEs in European Union 99% of all EU enterprises57% of the Union's total economic added

value75 million jobs (67% of private employment)

SMEs = highly flexible structures …but Europe still lacks entrepreneurship

Lisbon AgendaRenewed Lisbon strategy: Partnership for

Growth and Jobs (2005)

Integrated guidelines for Growth and JobsCommunity Lisbon programme 27 National Reform Programmes +

implementation reportsAnnual progress report including country-

specific recommendations

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Priority action: Unlocking the business potential, especially of SMEs

Start up procedures (less than 7 days, use of one- stop-shops)

Entrepreneurship educationRecruitment of 1st employee“Think Small First”Public procurement

Review at the end of 2007

2006 Spring European Council

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Modern SME Policy for Growth and EmploymentCoherent framework for SME policyInclusive of all types of SMEsMain achievements (mid-term review):

Progress of « Think Small First » at EU level e.g. State aid rules, FP7, REACH, CIP

Progress in the field of better regulationInitiatives to encourage entrepreneurship Regular dialogue with stakeholders

Announcement of a « Small Business Act »5

A “Small Business Act” for EuropeSpring European Summit – March 13-14, 2008

SBA to reinforce the Union’s SME policy and to allow SMEs operate more effectively in the Single Market.

ObjectivesAnchor the “Think Small First” in policy makingEncourage SME growth and competitivenessSet principles and concrete measures

Policy areas

Simplify the regulatory framework

Improve SMEs’ access to single market

Ensure better access for SMEs to public procurement

Improve SMEs access to finance and innovation

Promote entrepreneurship, skills and mobility

Help SMEs’ to go global

Public consultation

From end January until end March 2008 Over 500 replies from enterprises, SME

organisations and public authorities. Reducing administrative burden the first priority

among stakeholders. Other areas where action is needed: access to

finace, taxation, skills, public procurement, labour law.

The report on the public consultation available on-line.

Next steps

Adoption foreseen in July.The French presidency will discuss the SBA

and adopt formal conclusions in the Competitiveness Council in December, 2008.

More information

SBAhttp://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/entrepreneurship/sba_en.htm

SME-portalhttp://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/sme/index.htm