SMEs benefiting from Commission action plan for border regions
The Commission has adopted the first progress report on the 2001 action plan for regions bordering applicant countries, which highlights the positive impact of support for small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in these areas. The action plan covers 23 regions in Austria, Finland, Germany, Greece and Italy, and is designed to strengthen the economic competitiveness of border regions in view of the enlargement process. So far, overall financing under the action plan has amounted to 245 million euro for Europe's border regions. Michel Barnier, Commissioner for Regional Policy, states: 'The progress report clearly shows that small and medium sized enterprises in EU border regions are responsive to European support and are getting ready for meeting the challenges of enlargement. We now look to regional and local partners to make the projects to which financial commitments have been made a success.' Specifically, the report highlights the progress that has been made in support measures for SMEs, including 10 million euro of co-financing to help SMEs identify the opportunities, challenges and risks resulting from enlargement. The fund assists companies in designing new business strategies and activities, and promotes their involvement with businesses and markets in the accession countries. SMEs that are particularly affected by enlargement have also benefited from funding of 30 million euro under the INTEREG initiative, which also aims to strengthen transport systems and support training and inter-cultural cooperation actions. The report reaffirms the Commission's commitment to supporting border regions and gives details of activities that are ongoing or planned for 2003. These include further support measures for SMEs, particularly in the most affected business sectors, such as the promotion of business cooperation and transfer of technical know-how. Günter Verheugen, Commissioner responsible for Enlargement, says that: 'The reasons why the enlargement process is of the utmost importance for the European Union include the economic opportunities it will offer to both current and future Member States. I always stressed that enlargement will be a 'win-win' situation, also for the border regions of the European Union, provided they enjoy the necessary support.'