Brussels, 03/04/2000 (Agence Europe) - The European Small Business Alliance (ESBA) wants the next pluri-annual programme for entrepreneurs to be primarily focussed on the needs of SMEs and the need to encourage the spirit of entrepreneurship in Europe. The programme should place emphasis on measures that could simplify the environment of SMEs and the self-employed. ESBA places special emphasis on the need to promote access for these enterprises to new information technologies and adopt measures enabling SMEs to insert themselves into the trade internationalisation programme. It provides its backing to an extension of the pluri-annual programme to the countries candidates for enlargement. It is in favour of a six-year programme, corresponding with the duration chosen for Agenda 2000, with a midway review. ESBA would also like the creation of a "legislative audit committee", composed of representatives of SMEs and national administrations. This committee should be responsible for: (1) assessing all current legislation in the light of its impact on businesses and (2) providing an opinion on all Community draft regulations affecting the life of businesses.