They make up a large part of Europe's economy: there are some 23 million SMEs in the EU, providing around 75 million jobs and accounting for 99% of all enterprises.
They are also a key part of European industry, as they contribute up to 80% of employment in some industrial sectors, such as textiles, construction or furniture.
The Commission's new approach provides a single coherent policy framework for EU actions in favour of SMEs.
It puts particular focus on a more systematic consultation and cooperation with SME stakeholders to involve them in the policy-making process at an early stage, and thus benefit from their experience and increase their commitment in and ownership of the process.
The Commission proposes specific actions in five areas:
1. Promoting entrepreneurship and skills, including actions to ensure successful transfer of businesses, to facilitate adaptation of SME workforce to labour market needs and to promote entrepreneurial skills.
To narrow the skills gap, all partners, and particularly enterprises, should be involved in the development and definition of training courses and methodologies. The Commission invites Member States to review their educational and training policies to make them more responsive to current and anticipated changes in the labour market.
2. Improving SMEs' access to markets, including actions to improve SMEs' access to public procurement and standardisation.
marketing@alchempro.com
