- 28 July 2009 ESBA on New Croatian Member UMIS-SMEA
- 10 July ESBA on EP 2009 Election Results
- 30 April 2009 ESBA on Working Time Directive
- 20 April 2009 ESBA Election Quiz
- 9 April 2009 ESBA on Late Payments
- 9 February 2009 ESBA on Icelandic Issue
- 19 January 2009 ESBA on VAT Rates
- 17 December 2008 ESBA on working time Directive
- 04/11 2008 ESBA on Reduced VAT Rates
- 08/09 2008 ESBA in First Voice, UK
- 26 June 2008, SMES react positively to SBA
- 29 May 2008 - ISBC and ISBE supported by the FSB (Belfast, November 08)
- 19 Nov. 2007 - Rome I: Time for the EP to demonstrate its commitment to Better Regulation
- 01 Oct. 2007 - ESBA Backs Member's Campaign to Reduce Admin Burdens
- 29 June 2007 - ESBA welcomes the flexible approach to ‘Flexicurity’
- 24 May 2007 - Lower roaming charges are good news for SMEs, says ESBA
- 16 May 2007 - ESBA applauds MEPs for backing a Green Hydrogen Economy
- 12 March 2007 - Simplicity is key for SMEs in New Health and Safety Strategy
- 23 Feb. 2007 - Energy: ESBA supports binding targets for renewables
- 16 Feb. 2007 - New consumer rules will damage online business, says ESBA
- 13 Dec. 2006 - REACH vote in plenary – mixed result for SMEs
- 07 Dec. 2006 - ESBA welcomes MEP's call to withdraw ESCS Plan
- 06 Nov. 2006 - ESBA backs retaining the WTD opt-out clause
- 23 Oct. 2006 - ESBA Releases its new ‘ESBA Activities 2006-2007’ Publication
- 10 Oct. 2006 - ESBA says SMEs disappointed with EP vote on REACH
- 21 Sept. 2006 - ESBA case studies oppose the proposal on ESCS
- 07 Sept. 2006 - More Commission Staff should get Experience in SMEs!
- 30 Aug. 2006 - ESBA opposes the Commission's proposal on ESCS
- 24 July 2006 - ESBA supports a European SBAct
- 06 July 2006 - Retention of Earnings best way to finance SMEs
- 14 June 2006 - CIP is not enough!!
- 04 May 2006 - ESBA Elects its New President
- 14 Feb. 2006 - Services Directive: A good Compromise
European Institutions must lead by example and support small firms by paying on time
The European Small Business Alliance (ESBA) welcomes the European Commission’s proposal containing new measures to combat late payment in commercial transactions.
ESBA has been urging the European Institutions to pay their suppliers on time to ensure their survival during the current economic downturn. The European Institutions need to see it as their duty to lead by example by consistently making timely payments to SMEs.
For these reasons, ESBA has backed the latest inquiry by the European Ombudsman into the European Commission’s payment practices
The European Commission already had its own European Recovery Plan, which details support for small firms, and ESBA has called for this plan to include commitments to fair payment practices on the part of the Commission and other European institutions. The new Commission proposal is a step in the right direction.
However, a mere option for SMEs to pursue payment is not sufficient. It is well established that SMEs are hesitant to pursue payment, fearing deterioration or loss of customer relationships.
Tina Sommer, ESBA President, said:
“Failure by European Institutions to pay in a timely fashion can cause considerable damages to small businesses. Due to the ongoing shortage of lending to small businesses by the banks, outstanding invoices represent working capital that needs to be made available according to the agreed payment terms. Small firms cannot and must not be used as convenient lending facilities. The Commission proposal in which institutions are bound by stricter rules is a step in the right direction. However, providing SMEs only with an ‘option’ to pursue late payment will not suffice in practice.
ENDS
Page last updated: 29/07/2009 08:37:56