Irish Regions Office Website

February 13, 2008

European Small Business Act

A public consultation on a new European "Small Business Act" was launched by the European Commission on 31 January.

The objective of the Act is to enhance the role of SMEs in decision-making in the EU and to introduce practical measures to unlock SME growth potential. It includes new initiatives to reduce the regulatory burden on SMEs, facilitate access to the single market/public procurement, help provide the necessary financial/human resources for SME development, and to help SMEs face the challenge of globalisation and climate change. The document underpinning the consultation identified six areas to be examined: better regulation for the benefit of SMEs; putting SMEs at the forefront of society; SME access to markets; SME access to finance, skills and innovation; turning environmental challenge into opportunities for SMEs; and enhancing the implementation of EU SME policy principles. The consultation will be open until the end of March. Based on its outcome, the Commission plans to present the "Small Business Act" for Europe in June 2008. Further details at: http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/sme/index_en.htm

Posted by iroronan at February 13, 2008 02:56 PM