Brussels, 16/01/2006 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday, the European Commission is to adopt in Strasbourg, without debate, a communication on the promotion of inland navigation transport within the European Union. The aim is to fully exploit the commercial potential of river navigation which has many advantages. The Commission, however, says there are many obstacles to this form of transport. The action programme in question is called Naiades, based on close collaboration between the Commission, the Member States and all representatives of the sector, for the period 2006-2013. The Commission recommends various actions and measures in five “strategic” areas aimed at: 1) attracting new markets and encouraging the entrepreneurial spirit by improving access to capital, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) via tax incentives. Also, guidelines for State aid could give Member States clear and foreseeable indications for subsidies to the sector, it also being necessary to improve the administrative and regulatory framework by simplifying administrative procedure; 2) improving logistic effectiveness and inland navigation performance when it comes to the environment and security; 3) attracting qualified labour and investing in human capital, mainly by ensuring that there are establishments providing training in the sector; 4) promoting a better image of the sector; and 5) improving the multimodal network by launching a European development plan to improve and maintain the infrastructures of inland navigation and trans-loading installations. A European coordinator could facilitate implementation of the plan while a framework for infrastructure pricing for all kinds of transport could be a possible method of financing, the communication states, also stressing the need to modernise the organisational structure. Different options are being discussed, including strengthened cooperation between the various existing river transport committees and the Commission, accession by the European Community to the Rhine and Danube Commissions, and the creation of a pan-European organisation for inland navigation. Depending on the results of discussions in Council and the European Parliament on this action programme, the Commission will, where necessary, present legislative proposals and implement operational measures.