Making SMEs Life Easier

01.03.2017

Local and regional leaders push the EU to reduce disproportionate administrative burdens for SMEs as a way to boost growth and jobs in Europe.

Smart regulation for small and medium-sizes enterprises (SMEs) is the goal of a draft opinion adopted at the commission meeting for economic policy (ECON) of the European Committee of the Regions (CoR). What SMEs need most are simple, clear and consistent rules argues rapporteur Christian Buchmann (AT/EPP).

SMEs are the backbone of Europe's economy, creating two out of three jobs and generating more than half of Europe's economic production. An SME-friendly regulatory environment is an essential precondition for establishing and developing businesses and thus also for generating innovation, economic growth and jobs.

In his draft opinion Buchmann urges to "Think Small First" across EU policies and in the entire decision-making process, which means considering the impact on smallest enterprises when drafting legislation. Specific priority and action should be given to the access of SMEs to public procurement, and in VAT and taxation rules, the Single Market, finance and support from European Structural and Investment Funds. A better balance should also be considered between SME needs and labour, consumer and environmental protection.

"We can find good practices in cities and regions all over Europe. Paris for example has significantly increased SME access to public markets", says Christian Buchmann.

Source: http://cor.europa.eu/en/news/Pages/make_SMEs_life_easier.aspx