Quote of the Week: "To be sure of hitting the target, shoot first, and
call whatever you hit the target" - Ashleigh Brilliant
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ESBA WEEKLY of Friday 23 February 2001 - VOL 3 - N° 12
Headlines of WEEK 8:
- INDUSTRY: Manchester conclusions: priorities to promote entrepreneurship
- HEALTH & SAFETY: OSHA launches online forum
- RESEARCH: Commission adopts draft 6th framework programme
- BUSINESS SERVICES: Commission integrates support networks
- EMU: SMEs are still lagging behind for Euro changeover
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EU / INDUSTRY
Manchester 21/02/2001: Priorities to promote entrepreneurship
European Industry/Economic Affairs Ministers and several European
Commissioners met on 20 and 21 February in Manchester for an informal
meeting, discussing the development of European competitiveness and
entrepreneurship in a knowledge-based economy. The meeting served as a
preparation for the Stockholm Summit in March and as an assessment of the
implementation of the Lisbon Strategy. The objective was to discuss
priorities and build consensus amongst the Member States. The Manchester
conclusions, which will be taken into account during the Industry and
Energy Council meeting in May, can be found at:
http://www.eu2001.se/eu2001/news/news_read.asp?iInformationID=12124
ESBA welcomes the Manchester conclusions, especially the need to:
- Implement and further develop recently adopted frameworks (MAP, SME
Charter, BEST, Benchmarking);
- Monitor progress by introducing a number of quantitative targets in the
enterprise area;
- Strengthening the interests of small enterprises at EU-level;
- Make the European Charter for small enterprises more operational;
- Formulate a "think-small-first" approach in policy making;
- Promote risk taking and improve attitudes in society towards business
culture, and business related failure;
- Present as soon as possible, by the Commission, the strategy on better
regulation, based on regulatory impact assessment, including cost/benefit
analysis, as well as considering alternatives to regulation;
- Consult the business sector from the earliest stages of policy
development and throughout the legislative process;
- Include simplification measures and initiatives on the agenda for the
spring summit meetings on a regular basis;
- Benchmark policies in support of e-commerce for SMEs and the launch of
the Commission GO Digital initiative by 2001 to strengthen the take up of
e-commerce by SMEs.
ESBA, however, expresses the need for further and real progress as most
actions have been proposed already several times before in recent years.
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EU / HEALTH & SAFETY
Bilbao 21/02/2001: OSHA launches online forum
The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (OSHA) has launched the
online forum as a pilot project to provide safety and health professionals
and practitioners across the EU with the opportunity to exchange and share
experiences and expertise on occupational safety and health topics. The
forum can be found at:
http://europe.osha.eu.int/good_practice/forums
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EU / RESEARCH
Brussels 21/02/2001: Commission adopts draft 6th framework programme
The European Commission adopted on Wednesday the 6th framework programme
on research and innovation. The budget, 16.2 billion Euro, covering the
four-year period 2003-2006, represents an increase of 17% over the budget
of the current programme. Concerning SMEs, the new programme has set a
target participation of 15%, compared to the 10% in the current scheme.
The final decision on the new programme lies jointly with the Council and
the European Parliament and is expected to be adopted over 2002. The newly
proposed framework programme is part of a wider political initiative
aiming at creating a European Research Area, as endorsed by the Lisbon
Summit in March 2000. More information can be found at:
http://www.cordis.lu/rtd2002/
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EU / BUSINESS SERVICES
Brussels 21/02/2001: Commission integrates support networks
The Commission has decided to streamline its business support services
networks into one more coherent and simple system in order to enhance its
effectiveness. The Commission wants to create a common platform for these
networks while maintaining the flexibility of multiple entry points for
businesses. This as the precise nature of the different services provided
by these networks has not always been easily recognised by enterprises.
The European networks for business support services are:
- "Euro Info Centres": information and assistance to access EU programmes
and initiatives.
- "Innovation Relay Centres": assistance with the transfer of innovative
technologies throughout Europe.
- "Organisations for the Promotion of Energy Technologies": promotion of
results of new and innovative renewable energy technologies to
enterprises.
- "European Business Information Centres": support enterprises in
accessing the Asian markets.
- "COOPECOs" and "EUROCENTROS": facilitate cooperation and investment in
Latin America.
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EU / EMU
Brussels 23/02/2001: SMEs are still lagging behind for Euro changeover
A new Eurobarometer poll found that only a quarter of small and
medium-sized businesses have already made their preparations for the Euro,
while a majority are planning to make the switch at the last moment. Only
19% of very small businesses have a detailed plan of action and there are
systematically fewer of them than of other categories to have taken
practical steps for the changeover. Preparations are seen often from a
technical angle, often ignoring the strategic and commercial aspects.
The European Commission calls on all public to do their utmost to
encourage companies to get ready and to mobilise the professions dealing
with companies to help them make the changeover. Pedro Solbes, European
Commissioner for Economic and Financial Affairs, also underlined this
aspect once more in his speech on 19 February 2001 in Loughrea; Ireland.
He called for the need for information campaigns in the final run up to
Euro-day to concentrate on SMEs and the retail sector.
