31/01/2024 (Agence Europe) – On Wednesday 31 January, the European Commission announced the appointment of Markus Pieper, a German MEP and member of the European People’s Party, as EU SME Envoy. His role will be to provide guidance and advice to the Commission on SME issues and to defend the interests of SMEs. The creation of this specific representative was announced by the President of the Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, in her State of the Union address in September 2023. The Commission recently unveiled a support package for SMEs, including a directive on payment periods (see EUROPE 13248/21), and says it wants to take better account of the difficulties these businesses face within the single market. The exact date of Mr Pieper’s appointment has yet to be announced. (IS)