Commissioner Papoutsis outlines future strategy for SMEs

The future strategy for the creation of a more efficient and more precise enterprise policy was outlined by Mr. Papoutsis, Commissioner responsible for small and medium-sized enterprises, on 11 April 1995 at a public hearing on SMEs. It was organized by the Economic and Moneta...

The future strategy for the creation of a more efficient and more precise enterprise policy was outlined by Mr. Papoutsis, Commissioner responsible for small and medium-sized enterprises, on 11 April 1995 at a public hearing on SMEs. It was organized by the Economic and Monetary Affairs and Industrial Policy Committee of the European Parliament.

The Commissioner stressed that this future strategy should be built upon certain basic orientations. Amongst these are the following:

- The restructuring of the Community information system (Euro-Info, BC-Net, BRE) and the improvement of the information services offered to enterprises in the context of a more functional and efficient infrastructure. This infrastructure must be linked with that which is being developed in the framework of the information society;
- The need to enlarge the possibilities of internationalizing SME activities, including the distribution business. This internationalization should aim to support the enterprises' action beyond the EU territory;
- Better access to financing for SMEs;
- The improvement of enterprises' access to research and technology programmes, and the development of a coordinated action for all the programmes dealing with SMEs;
- The training of those members of the SME workforce who are willing to undertake initiatives in the sector of research and technological development and cooperation;
- The improvement of the dissemination possibilities, including at international level, of the results of research and development carried out by SMEs;
- The promotion of more concrete actions for the modernization and development of the commercial sector.

As the Commissioner emphasized, in the context of all this effort to support the SMEs, the enterprises must be helped so that they can respect the environmental criteria laid down by the European Union.