Brussels, 28/01/2008 (Agence Europe) - Hervé Novelli, the French Secretary of State for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SME) and External Trade, last week submitted a memorandum to the European Commission listing France's proposals as part of the reflection underway on the drafting of the European “Small Business Act” (SBA). The Commission agrees on the “diagnosis”, which shows the problems faced by SMEs within the internal market, and also on the “remedies”, Commissioner Verheugen, who is responsible for Industry issues, announced after the meeting. The SBA, which is scheduled for June 2008, will take the form of a transversal action plan aiming to stimulate the potential represented by SMEs for growth and employment in the European Union (see EUROPE 9565). The Commission will shortly launch a public consultation on the SBA.
The French proposals concern the improvement of legislation applicable to SMEs, reinforce access to the markets for SMEs, promoting entrepreneurship and improving the growth potential of SMEs. “Strongly” supporting the “Think Small First” principle, which aims to put SMEs at the heart of Community policies, France proposes that this principle be reinforced by including it in the legislative certification programme of the Commission. It also proposes applying different dates for the entry into force of European rules for SMEs and for larger businesses.
Hervé Novelli also pleaded for the principle of reciprocity to be observed in access for SMEs to the markets. He explained that this reciprocity consists of leaving the European markets open, but when they are closed in third countries, to ensure that they are less open for businesses from these countries. “These days, we are committed to this reciprocity and believe that it can be brought in”, the Secretary of State insisted, welcoming the “global agreement” with Mr Verheugen on this point. In the framework of the renegotiation of the agreement on public procurement at the WTO, France continues to plead for the introduction of an exemption clause, which would allow access to public procurement contracts to be facilitated for SMEs (see EUROPE 9500 and 9364). It also proposes to align the thresholds above which the AMP agreement will apply to central government contracts on the higher ones applicable to purchases made by the local authorities.
The other measures of the French memorandum concern: - tax harmonisation at European level and, in particular, harmonisation of the corporate tax base (CCCTB); - the introduction of a European private company status (see EUROPE 9516); - the launch of a reflection on the European definition of SMEs; - the adoption of specific measures for innovative SMEs; - the revision of the European provisions in force on competition and State aid; - the development of finance tools (venture capital, micro-loans, subordinated debt); - the adoption of the Community patent and improvement of the settlement dispute system for patents (see EUROPE 9549). (M.B.)