Electronic commerce: EU policies and SMEs
A report on the impact of EU electronic commerce policies on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) has recently been issued by the European Commission. It provides a comprehensive overview of actions at Community level which relate to electronic commerce in the context of SMEs, with the aim of ensuring that the potential advantages offered by electronic commerce are built upon. The initiatives described are related to awareness and policy projects, international cooperation, as well as those contained in the Framework Programmes for research and development. The following sections are contained in the report: - Concrete projects and initiatives for SMEs supported by the European Commission: . The G7 project "Global marketplace for SMEs"; . SME awareness initiatives in electronic commerce and the role of R&D; . Accelerating electronic commerce: R&D projects in awareness; - General measures to support SMEs: . The multiannual programme for SMEs; . Commerce 2000; - European policies related to electronic commerce: . The communication on European initiatives in electronic commerce; . Various European regulatory initiatives related to electronic commerce; . The Fifth RTD Framework Programme.