European Forum - Support services to small business
18 November 1996 - 18 November 1996
Ireland
A European Forum on "Increasing the visibility and effectiveness of support services for enterprises" will take place in Dublin, Ireland, on 18-19 November 1996. The Forum is being organized with the support of the DG XXIII (Enterprise Policy) of the European Commission and the Irish Department of Enterprise and Employment.
The event is part of a series of "Concerted Actions", being organized at the joint initiative of the European Commission and the 15 Member States of the European Union. These are aimed at fully exploring the problems confronted by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in becoming established and developing in the competitive environment of today. The approach consists of preparing forums which allow leading policy makers, business people and representative organizations to exchange innovative experiences and to compare "best practices" identified at national, regional and local level.
The Dublin Forum will concentrate on support services (other than financial services) to small businesses. The conference programme will include a plenary session followed by three special workshops focused on specific topics:
- Recent trends in public measures or programmes adopted at national, regional or local level;
- Recent trends in measures or programmes offered by intermediary bodies;
- Experiences and strategies regarding the visibility of support services for enterprises.
The plenary session will be addressed by Her Excellency Mary Robinson, President of Ireland and by senior political figures from Ireland, Italy, France and Germany. Commissioner Papoutsis will address the conference on behalf of the European Commission.
The Forum is open to business people, representatives of public authorities and to intermediaries offering services to enterprises. It is not only designed to provide better information on the conditions for adapting services to the real needs of SMEs, but also on how to increase the visibility and effectiveness of measures to be taken in this field by stimulating better dialogue and communication between business people and the various support services. Particular emphasis will be given to determining how support services are seen and evaluated by small businesses.
For further information, please contact:
European Commission
DG XXIII - Enterprise policy
Mrs. Joceline Gaudin - Head of Unit
Unit XXIII/C-1
200 rue de la Loi (AN80 05/15)
B-1049 Brussels
Tel. +32-2-2950976; Fax +32-2-2966278
The event is part of a series of "Concerted Actions", being organized at the joint initiative of the European Commission and the 15 Member States of the European Union. These are aimed at fully exploring the problems confronted by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in becoming established and developing in the competitive environment of today. The approach consists of preparing forums which allow leading policy makers, business people and representative organizations to exchange innovative experiences and to compare "best practices" identified at national, regional and local level.
The Dublin Forum will concentrate on support services (other than financial services) to small businesses. The conference programme will include a plenary session followed by three special workshops focused on specific topics:
- Recent trends in public measures or programmes adopted at national, regional or local level;
- Recent trends in measures or programmes offered by intermediary bodies;
- Experiences and strategies regarding the visibility of support services for enterprises.
The plenary session will be addressed by Her Excellency Mary Robinson, President of Ireland and by senior political figures from Ireland, Italy, France and Germany. Commissioner Papoutsis will address the conference on behalf of the European Commission.
The Forum is open to business people, representatives of public authorities and to intermediaries offering services to enterprises. It is not only designed to provide better information on the conditions for adapting services to the real needs of SMEs, but also on how to increase the visibility and effectiveness of measures to be taken in this field by stimulating better dialogue and communication between business people and the various support services. Particular emphasis will be given to determining how support services are seen and evaluated by small businesses.
For further information, please contact:
European Commission
DG XXIII - Enterprise policy
Mrs. Joceline Gaudin - Head of Unit
Unit XXIII/C-1
200 rue de la Loi (AN80 05/15)
B-1049 Brussels
Tel. +32-2-2950976; Fax +32-2-2966278