Brussels, 06/12/2013 (Agence Europe) - Small businesses will be able to take advantage of a made-to-measure EU programme to boost competitiveness over the next seven years because, on Thursday 5 December, the EU Council of Ministers gave the final go-ahead to the COSME programme, with a budget of €2.3 billion for 2014-2020 for small and micro business. The programme will help entrepreneurs get start-up aid and financing until they start growing, via credit facilities and guarantees for borrowing on top of any funding they may be receiving from the EU structural funds. COSME will be able to make it easier for companies to trade at European or global level by providing information about business opportunities and obstacles and calls for tender. The programme will establish a policy framework favourable to small businesses and ensure the promotion of an entrepreneurial and skills culture, paying particular attention to women and young people wishing to set up their own businesses. (MD/transl.fl)