Commission appoints new 'SME Envoy'
Estonia's Maive Rute has been appointed as the Commission's new SME (small and medium sized enterprise) Envoy, taking over from Finn Timo Summa. Ms Rute will act as an interlocutor between the EU and the SME community, and act as their representative inside the Commission. Given the central role played by small businesses in the European economy, almost every EU policy has an SME dimension. One of Ms Rute's top priorities, therefore, will be to ensure better coordination of these SME issues within the Commission, as well as to explain relevant EU initiatives to SMEs, such as the European Charter for Small Enterprises and the Entrepreneurship Action Plan. Speaking after her appointment, Ms Rute said: 'I want to bring small business closer to decision making in Brussels and EU policy closer to small business. Supporting the 25 million SMEs, boosting their energy and creativity are the key to achieving more growth and jobs in the EU.' Previously, Ms Rute was involved in the design and management of SME support schemes in her native Estonia, and has extensive experience in areas including innovation financing, business consultancy and management training. Her commitment to the promotion of the SME dimension in policy making has been recognised with prestigious awards from the Estonian Small Business Association and the Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. According to Ms Rute, one of her major objectives is to be 'out there on the ground' in order to maintain direct and regular contact with SMEs, business associations, government officials and other European institutions. Commission Vice President Günter Verheugen welcomed the appointment, saying: 'Europe's competitiveness depends strongly on our SMEs. Mrs Rute has a vast hands-on experience in dealing with their concerns. It will be her task to ensure that the specific needs of SMEs are taken into account in drafting and implementing EU policies.'
Countries
Estonia