Brussels, 06/03/2003 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday, the European Commission adopted a Communication for improving access to Community support networks to EU companies. The "B2Europe" initiative plans to set up a "Multiple Entry Point" system, which offers immediate and basic access to services that provide information and assistance to companies in the Union.
The support networks that are part of this initiative are: "Euro Info Centres" (EIC) which provide information, advice and assistance to companies seeking access to European Union programmes and initiatives; "Innovation Relay Centres" (IRC) which assist companies with the transfer of their innovative technologies throughout Europe; "Business and Innovation Centres" (BIC) which support the creation of new innovative companies and the modernisation and innovation of existing companies; "Organisations for the Promotion of Energy Technologies" (OPET) which promote results of new and innovative renewable energy technologies to enterprises; the networks for co-operation and investment promotion in Latin America, COOPECO and EUROCENTRES which facilitate co-operation between European and Latin American companies and foster investment in Latin America. The initiative is also open to other networks and aims to develop closer links with networks such as the National Contact Points for the Research and Development Framework Programme (NCP) and the European Employment Services Network (EURES) for Europe-wide recruitment of labour.
According to the Commission, by the end of 2003 a number of major tools will have been put in place, including: a common web site portal allowing companies to access information about all Community business support networks via one address; a "Multiple Entry Point" system, offering first assistance for companies on European matters and consistent "signposting" (a query reference and tracking system) aiming at directing businesses to the appropriate support network. For information: ( http: //europa.eu.int/comm/enterprise/networks/index.htm ).