SMEs to get more attention
29 June 2000 - 29 June 2000
To take stock of the SME participation in the Fifth Framework Programme a special conference will be held by the Portuguese Presidency on 29-30 June in Porto. This event will bring together policy-makers, intermediaires, research performers and SMEs to exchange views. Amongst the speakers are senior politicians as well as high-level representatives from the business and research communities.
The conference will allow in-depth discussions on the special measures for SME (e.g. exploratory awards and CRAFT) in the Fifth Framework as well as another SME related initiatives in particular in the field of intellectual property rights and venture capital.
SMEs are the cornerstone of Europes competitive position and job creation. They form a dynamic and heterogeneous community which is confronted by many challenges. These include increased competition resulting from the completion of the European internal market and the growing demands of larger companies for which they often work as sub-contractors. To meet these challenges and to remain competitive, SMEs need constantly to innovate. This means developing new technologies in house or gaining access to them. Many SMEs also both need and want to internationalise in search of new markets and business opportunities.
The EU Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development is an excellent instrument for SMEs to internationalise and innovate at the same time. SMEs are increasingly realising this as more than 14.500 of them participated in the Fourth Framework Programme (1994-1998). The first year of the Fifth Framework Programme (1999-2002) has shown that the interest of SMEs for EU research continues to grow. SMEs participation is up by 20%.
For more information please contact:
Mrs Isabel Caetano
Agência de Inovação, s.a.
E-mail: icaetano@adi.pt
Fax +351-21-7220541
The conference will allow in-depth discussions on the special measures for SME (e.g. exploratory awards and CRAFT) in the Fifth Framework as well as another SME related initiatives in particular in the field of intellectual property rights and venture capital.
SMEs are the cornerstone of Europes competitive position and job creation. They form a dynamic and heterogeneous community which is confronted by many challenges. These include increased competition resulting from the completion of the European internal market and the growing demands of larger companies for which they often work as sub-contractors. To meet these challenges and to remain competitive, SMEs need constantly to innovate. This means developing new technologies in house or gaining access to them. Many SMEs also both need and want to internationalise in search of new markets and business opportunities.
The EU Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development is an excellent instrument for SMEs to internationalise and innovate at the same time. SMEs are increasingly realising this as more than 14.500 of them participated in the Fourth Framework Programme (1994-1998). The first year of the Fifth Framework Programme (1999-2002) has shown that the interest of SMEs for EU research continues to grow. SMEs participation is up by 20%.
For more information please contact:
Mrs Isabel Caetano
Agência de Inovação, s.a.
E-mail: icaetano@adi.pt
Fax +351-21-7220541