Euro Info Centres: Publication of the 1990 Annual Report
The 1990 Annual Report of the Euro Info Centre Network is now available. Setting out the development of the Centres since 1987, the Report details activities undertaken during 1990, the first year of consolidation. This was distinguished by a qualitative improvement in services provided by the 211 EICs throughout the Community. Over 150,000 enquiries from SMEs wishing to adjust rapidly to the 1992 internal market were handled. More than 20% of these (the largest group) related to Community RTD programmes such as ESPRIT, COMETT and BRITE/EURAM, while some 18% concerned the free movement of goods, compliance with standards and other questions associated with Community legislation in support of the internal market. Inter alia, the Report notes that over 13 million SMEs exist within the Community, employing almost two-thirds of the total workforce. In the changing world economic structure, these are increasingly regarded as a vital and unique element of Community viability.