Media Briefing: From bright idea to profitability: Strengthening SME Potential in Europe

25-27 September 2002 ,Leeds Town Hall, Leeds, UK,THE FOURTH SME TECHNOLOGY DAYS,

Gathering 600 participants, this major conference and exhibition will showcase European Union initiatives fostering the creation and development of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises through research, innovation and internationalisation. Organised by Beta Technology, a UK-based Centre of Excellence for Innovation, in partnership with ANRT, EG-Liaison and the City of Leeds, with the support of the European Commission; this event will provide concrete examples of real-life success stories by European SMEs in fields as diverse as health, safety, sustainable development, the environment and industrial production.
The media programme will offer journalists a privileged insight into some of Europes most exciting and innovative companies. Journalists will be able to talk to leading SME CEOs, as well as key British and European policymakers. They will be briefed on the opportunities offered to SMEs in the European Research Area, in particular on the networking and funding opportunities provided by the new EU Framework Programme for Research 2003-2006 (FP6). They will be invited to cover the first ever SME Awards Ceremony, rewarding three SMEs that have used international partnerships to leverage innovative ideas into profitable business.
BACKGROUND
SMEs are the cornerstone of Europes competitiveness and a major source of job creation, representing 99.8% of all EU enterprises and two-thirds of all employment. SMEs must constantly innovate in order to remain competitive. This means developing new technologies, building international partnerships and exploring new markets across borders to secure new business opportunities. The European Research Area will provide fresh impetus and open new opportunities for the creation and development of SMEs, through easier access to knowledge, finance and partnerships. In addition, the EUR 17.5 billion Sixth Framework Programme for Research 2003-2006 (FP6), proposed by the European Commission, will directly support European SMEs. With 15% of its budget devoted to SMEs, the new Framework Programme represents the largest instrument supporting research and innovation for SMEs in the world. (EUR 1.8 billion, plus a further EUR 0.4 billion for SME Specific Research Actions, i.e. a total of EUR 2.2 billion over the next four years)
PROGRAMME
The Fourth SME Technology Days conference and exhibition will showcase the priority role of SMEs in the New Framework Programme and European Research Area. This event will provide background information on the whole spectrum of supporting activities in favour of SMEs and hands on advice on how to access funding and networking opportunities. Case studies will demonstrate how companies are using these resources to succeed in the international marketplace.
Keynote speakers include Philippe Busquin, EU Research Commissioner, Lord Sainsbury, UK Minister of Science and Innovation , and Knud Larsen, Danish Presidency Representative.
The programme will include a press conference, an individual interview programme, background briefings on SME-related issues, as well as an on-site visit. Journalists will have the opportunity to meet these personalities, key government and EU officials, as well as industry leaders and innovators.,Further details on this special media programme will be sent to you in the coming days. However, if in the interval you need more information, please do not hesitate to contact
Robert-Jan Smits,Head of Research and SMEs Unit ,European Commission DG Research, ,Tel. [phone]; E-mail: [e-mail]
Or
Patrick Vittet-Philippe, ,Press and Information Officer, ,European Commission DG Research, ,Tel: [phone]; E-mail: [e-mail]
For this media programme, the EC is assisted by a subcontractor, Hill and Knowlton.
If you wish to attend this event, you are invited to register with:
Valerie Moens,Hill and Knowlton International,Tel [phone]; fax + 32 2 737 95 01; E mail [e-mail],

Countries

Belgium, United Kingdom