PREPARATION OF THE SMALL BUSINESS ACT FOR EUROPE

by Secretary-general Mr. J.W.B. Baron van Till:

Small and medium-sized enterprises are the lifeblood of Europe’s economy and a major source of jobs creation and economic growth. EuroCommerce has therefore welcomed the proposal of the European Commission to develop a Small Business Act for Europe which will include principles and concrete measures to improve the framework conditions of European SME’s.

In this context, DG Enterprise and Industry of the European Commission launched a consultation with all stakeholders to identify all remaining obstacles to SME’s competitiveness and solutions to tackle them.

EuroCommerce took this opportunity to highlight the need to improve the image of entrepreneurship and to incorporate the “think small first” principle into all EU- and National Policies. It also urged the EU Institutions to use all means available to ensure fast and proper implementation of the provisions of the Small Business Act. It is of utmost importance that this proposal expected in June 2008 provides a constructive instrument to deliver concrete solutions adapted to the needs of small businesses.