German SMEs receive innovation boost
SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) in the German federal state of Brandenburg are to benefit from a seven billion euro development programme, of which nearly half will be drawn from European Union structural funds. Among the areas targeted by the funds will be information and communication technology. A sectoral change towards innovative technologies is also hoped to bring about sustainable employment Commenting on the 'I am particularly delighted by the special emphasis the Brandenburg programme gives to the competitiveness of SMEs through the promotion of non-investment aid, of cooperations and clusters between SMEs, of SMEs' access to capital, know-how and ICT, which in addition to the envisaged measures for training and qualification, will contribute to sustainable employment,'