Pay hi-tech industries special attention, says Commissioner
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the Europartenariat Austria 1999 and Phare Partenariat event, on 10 May 1999, the European Commissioner for enterprise policy, Christos Papoutsis, called for special attention to be paid to hi-tech industries. He described the establishment of the euro as a positive factor for job creation, but warned that it would not be a miracle cure for all structural employment problems. He called for special efforts to favour small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), since these organisations represent 67% of employment. Hi-tech industries, he said, are the key to economic development and growth, and are the future of the European economy. He therefore urged national governments and the European Commission to encourage more investment in research, development and innovation, especially in the new electronic sector and in computer and communications technologies.