Parliament calls for promotion of entrepreneurship and SMEs to boost EU economy
In response to the Commission's communication on the EU's broad economic policy guidelines, the European Parliament has called for measures to promote entrepreneurship and small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). The resolution adopted by MEPs also demands an increase in the pace of structural economic reforms in order to boost growth in Europe. The position was agreed by 354 votes in favour, 94 against with 78 abstentions at a plenary session in Strasbourg on 12 March. Parliament would like to see SMEs being helped through improving access to investment capital, and by reducing the burden of red tape on them. Public and private investment should also be increased in areas such as information technology and renewable energies, the resolution says. Furthermore, MEPs would like to see efforts made to increase the mobility and participation of women and older workers in the labour market, if necessary through tax incentives.