Brussels, 17/07/2012 (Agence Europe) - Looking ahead to the action plan promised for this autumn, the European Commission has launched a public consultation exercise until 1 October on action to be undertaken at European, national and regional levels, in order to encourage the entrepreneurship. There is vast potential out there. While currently only 11% of European citizens are business leaders, 45% would like to be their own boss. Furthermore, new companies are a driving force as they represent the most important source of new jobs, creating 4.1 million jobs in Europe each year.
When it comes to entrepreneurial spirit, Commissioner Antonio Tajani plans to close the gap between the EU and its partners, hoping to catch up with the United States especially, where 55% of citizens are keen to have an independent activity. The lack of entrepreneurial drive in Europe is not due to a generalised dislike by Europeans to entrepreneurship but rather to structural, administrative and cultural factors. The Commission is therefore seeking ideas to explain how business creation potential can be released, how obstacles to business can be removed, how future business leaders can be backed for the creation of new businesses, and how business leaders can be helped to face up to the challenges that inevitably face them during the first years of business after start-up.
More specifically, the European Executive wishes to know the point of view of EU citizens regarding ways to promote the entrepreneurial spirit in schools and universities, among women (who only make up 34.4% of independent workers) and immigrants, minorities and other specific groups.
Finally, the consultation exercise covers the themes of framework conditions for businesses, making a change of activity easier, effective bankruptcy procedures or second chances offered to honest but failing entrepreneurs, and support for new business leaders with access to funding. (EH/transl.jl)