Brussels, 14/10/2010 (Agence Europe) - The Enterprise Europe Network which, since 2008, has been a key part of the EU's Competitiveness and Innovation Programme (CIP), announced at its third annual conference in Antwerp on Wednesday 13 October that it had opened 15 contact points in China and South Korea, giving European SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) easier access to these attractive markets.
There are now 10 partner organisations in China, in cities including Guangzhou, Xiamen and Hangzhou, and five in South Korea, including centres in Seoul and research hub Daejeon. Enterprise Europe plans to extend its reach to Japan. With 589 partner organisations spanning 47 countries, including the 27 EU member states, the applicant countries, the United States, Mexico and Russia, the Network acts as an innovative and unique channel to help small businesses achieve international success. Enterprise Europe provides information on EU legislation and funding, offers advice on how to develop an innovative idea and helps companies to increase their chances of success when applying for EU funding. Welcoming the opening of the new contact points for European SMEs in China and South Korea, Industry Antonio Tajani promised to update the Small Business Act.
SMEs honoured. The Antwerp conference honoured four winning SMEs with a special “Network Stars” award. These awards showcase inspiring stories of how the Network helps companies to achieve their goals. The winners were French electronics company Westline and Polish engineering firm Gryftec, who teamed up through the Network to reach new markets and find new business, and Belgian entrepreneur Serge Vleeschouwer and Germany company AirMed Plus, who struck a deal to market a anti-reflux baby bed in Germany, thanks to the Network. (E.H./transl.rt)