Brussels, 15/02/2010 (Agence Europe) - The support and recovery programmes of the member states must be maintained over the coming months, but their priorities need to be reviewed. That was the request made on Monday 15 February by UEAPME, at the macro-economic dialogue between the Presidency of the Council of the EU, the Commission, the European Central Bank (ECB) and the president of the Eurogroup on the one hand, and the social partners on the other.
"The figures that we have collected in the last months suggest a slight increase in business confidence, which contrasts with a certain reluctance by SMEs to hire and to invest. Growing unemployment seems to be the culprit, as it triggers a decrease in private consumption, which leads to grim economic perspectives for SMEs and ultimately to more unemployed workers. Europe must put an end to this negative spiral", the president of the European Union of Crafts and Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, Georg Toifl, stated in a press release. Although he welcomes the decision of the member states not to break off their support measures, Toifl calls for a change of course. "Europe will not recover quickly if governments keep supporting the usual suspects: national champions, unproductive industrial dinosaurs and overcapacities. They must mobilise private investment and prepare for the future rather than linger in the past", he continued.
As regards the strategy EU 2020, UEAPME hopes for fewer objectives but clearer objectives for the future. The new strategy will only be of any use if it also covers the public sector, both from the point of view of its effectiveness and the quality of the implementation of public rules. "The EU 2020 strategy must include a clear commitment to put into practice the principles agreed in the 'Better Regulation' initiative as well as in the Small Business Act, starting from the 'Think Small First' rule. After many years of discussions and promises on better regulation, the situation on the ground has not moved an inch forward and has actually worsened in some respects. The EU 2020 strategy is an excellent chance to make a real difference", Toifl concluded. (A.B./transl.fl)