Quote of the Week: "He who can take no interest in what is small, will
take false interest in what is great - John Ruskin
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ESBA WEEKLY of Friday 12 October 2001 - VOL 3 - N° 41
Headlines of WEEK 41:
- ENTERPRISE: 'Societas Europaea' a reality after 30 years
- TRADE: Draft text WTO Ministerial Conference available
- TRADE: Overview on trade facilitation measures
- SMEs: EC launches revision of the 1996 SME definition
- UPCOMING EVENTS
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EU / ENTERPRISE
Brussels 08/10/2001: 'Societas Europaea' a reality after 30 years
The European Company Statute Regulation has finally been adopted, as well
as the Directive on the worker involvement, after initial negotiations
started in 1969. As from 2004 onwards, it will be possible for companies
working in several Member States of setting themselves up as companies
under Community law and to evolve as single operator throughout the Union
(e.g. with a unique set of rules, a unified system of management and
special provisions on the publication of financial information; however,
no single tax system).
More info (copy/paste full link):
http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/internal_market/en/company/company/news/ecom
panyfaq.htm
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EU / TRADE
Brussels 08/10/2001: Draft text WTO Ministerial Conference available
Many companies, especially SMEs, still do not realise that in the
increasingly globalised economy the main conditions of business are
determined by decisions taken in the framework of international bodies,
such as the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Therefore, ESBA is for example
actively promoting the inclusion of the issue of trade facilitation on the
agenda of the to be launched WTO trade round in November, an issue of
crucial importance for SMEs. However, many other issues are relevant. The
released draft text and the implementation guidelines give a good
indication of the possible agenda of such a new trade round.
The draft declaration:
http://www.mfat.govt.nz/foreign/tndtead/wto/4thsession.html
The draft decision on implementation issues (copy/paste full link):
http://filer.weblogger.com/tradesuccess3ManilaWebsite/documents/Implementa
tionDecisionsForDoha.txt
To enhance the awareness of the business community, the International
Trade Centre organises an e-mail based conference on "Business and the
Next WTO Ministerial Conference", taking place from 15-19 October 2001.
In the conference you have the possibility to raise any questions about
the business aspects of the Next Ministerial Conference and the eventual
new round of trade negotiations.
More info:
http://www.intracen.org/e_discuss/wtn/invitation.htm
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EU / TRADE
Brussels 08/10/2001: Overview on trade facilitation measures
The European Commission has issued a paper listing the measures that can
facilitate trade (e.g. regulatory co-operation, harmonisation, mutual
recognition agreements, support for the development and use of
international standards, codes of conduct and technical assistance with
conformity assessment and standardisation) and how such instruments can
best be used to facilitate trade.
More info:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/enterprise/international/sec_2001_1570_en.pdf
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EU / SME
Brussels 09/10/2001: EC launches revision of the 1996 SME definition
ESBA participated in an informal consultation meeting organised by DG
Enterprise on the draft Commission recommendation amending the 1996
Recommendation concerning the definition of SMEs. The new draft notably
includes a more detailed description of the notion of linked companies in
order to fight against circumvention of the SMEs definition by large
companies. It also seeks to remain as simple as possible according to EU
officials who do not want to demark too much from the former definition
agreed 5 years ago.
ESBA WILL PREPARE A POSITION PAPER ON THIS ISSUE BEFORE 9 NOVEMBER 2001
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Brussels (B) 15/10/2001: For a Europe of entrepreneurs, start-up financing
for SMEs; Theme: SMEs, Finance.
Info: http://www.sme-union.org/activities/sme15october.htm
Brussels (B) 16/10/2001: Interactive Policy Making - Listen and Respond to
People's Needs; Theme: Consultation, Internal Market. Info:
secretariat@esba-europe.org
Brussels (B) 17/10/2001 The SMEs approach to a knowledge-based society;
Theme: SMEs, Education.
Info: http://www.sme-union.org/activities/sme17october.htm
Louvain-la-Neuve (B) 24&25/10/2001: SMEs Finance; Theme: risk management,
role public/private sector, attitude banking sector, revision of Basle
agreement, obstacles to award loans, action plan on venture capital
Info: http://www.kubla2001.be/uk/colloque/colloque.htm
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The ESBA Weekly is now sent to an increasing amount of persons with a
direct interest in SMEs.
bulletin is made in co-operation with LOGOS
(http://www.logos-eu.com).
