Ensure FP7 and CIP are SME-friendly, says Competitiveness Council
The Competitiveness Council has urged the European Commission and Member States to ensure that small companies can benefit from the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) and the Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (CIP). Following an exchange of views on the Commission's 'modern SME policy for growth and employment', tabled in November 2005, ministers in the Council welcomed the communication and called on Member States to assume responsibility for implementing the measures outlined in it. The provisional conclusions of the Council's meeting in Brussels on 13 March urge the Commission and Member States to develop FP7 and CIP in such a way as to allow small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) to benefit from their added value. 'In particular, this should be achieved through appropriate and user-friendly modalities for their participation,' they add. The Council would like to see EU governments in particular reviewing their public procurement rules and practices in order to improve SME access to public procurement markets. Countries are also urged to help small businesses make better use of increased cooperation between research institutes and the private sector, while regions in the EU that receive cohesion policy funding should use it to promote key priorities in the field of SME policy. The Commission is invited to make specific proposals for reducing the burden of EU regulation on SMEs through its ongoing programme of simplification, and also to make recommendations on measures to encourage the growth and development of small firms. Both the Commission and Member States should adopt the 'Think small first' principle when proposing and implementing EU and national legislation, and must involve SME stakeholders in the policy making process, advisory committees, working groups and other relevant fora. Finally, the Competitiveness Council urged both EU and national policy makers to consider appropriate mechanisms for encouraging the internationalisation of SMEs and greater cross-border cooperation between small businesses.