Brussels, 24/11/2003 (Agence Europe) - At a conference on changing patterns of industry in Europe, organised in Brussels on 20-21 November by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), the Dublin-based European Foundation for Improving Living and Working Conditions, and the European Association of Craft and SMEs (Ueapme) public authorities were urged to concentrate more on SMEs undergoing restructuring and industrial change (see EUROPE of 19 November, p. 17). Measures proposed by Ueapme include: 1) "local and regional authorities getting more actively involved in industrial change", by which the employers' association means "joint reflection on what the future may bring in terms of developing markets, technological transformation, changes to the labour market and legislative change; and 2) "establishing more active partnerships between the various regional players (professional organisations, chambers of commerce and local autho! rities) to provide wide-ranging assistance to SMEs hit by restructuring".