Presidency conference to tackle role of SMEs in FP6

A conference organised by the Wallon region in the scope of the Belgian presidency of the EU is to examine the role of SMEs (small and medium sized enterprises) in the Sixth RTD framework programme, (FP6), in Liège, Belgium, on 19 November.

The aims of the conference are to raise awareness amongst decision-makers of the importance of action to encourage innovation in SMEs through research, including cooperative research, guidance, technology transfer and accompanying measures. It also aims to evaluate European policy in this area and look at forecasting in the framework of the European research area (ERA) and FP6.

The conference will examine the subject in two phases - current instruments in favour of SMEs in European research programmes and the status of SMEs, and the development of actions in favour of SMEs in the framework of the European research area and FP6. European Research Commissioner Philippe Busquin and François-Xavier de Donnea, President of the Research council, will speak at the event, as will Serge Kubla, vice-president of the Walloon Government and minister for the economy, SMEs, research and new technologies.For further information, please consult the following web addresses:

http://www.eu2001.be(opens in new window)

http://cordis.europa.eu/belgium/home.html(opens in new window)

http://www.kubla2001.be/s.galiat(opens in new window)