Brussels, 27/01/2012 (Agence Europe) - Member states are taking measures to make life easier for small businesses, as recommended by EU Industry Commissioner Antonio Tajani, who is delighted that progress is at last being made by the member states to cut red tape help small business get access to funding and apply for public contracts. At the second meeting of national small business representatives in Luxembourg on Friday 27 January 2012, the member states briefed the Commission about measures in this connection. In terms of improving access to finance, the Netherlands is planning to introduce the late payment directive this year and the Dutch parliament will shortly be discussing a new law to help small businesses get loans. Sweden is improving its venture capital regulations and Italy has increased its central guarantee fund to help banks issue loans to small businesses. In terms of reducing red tape, Germany says that four out of five German businesses have registered in less than three days for less than €100. The UK has cut the average start-up time for new businesses to seven hours at a cost of €22, but the fastest new business start-up is in Estonia, where is takes 60 minutes. Ahead of the 30 January European Summit, the small business representatives urged Europe's leaders to mobilise finance and make it easier for them to get loans. Access to markets and encouraging entrepreneurship will be discussed at future meetings. (EH/transl.fl)