Brussels, 01/02/2008 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has launched a public consultation exercise on the EU Small Business Act (SBA), an action plan to promote the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises. The consultation exercise will conclude on 31 March 2008, ahead of the unveiling of the Small Business Act in June 2008 (see EUROPE 9549). 'The crucial role of SMEs and entrepreneurs for Europe's competitiveness has now been well recognised. With the SBA, we aim at fully unlocking this immense potential,' said Gunter Verheugen, EU Enterprise Commissioner, in a press release. The Commission wants six areas to be addressed - how to apply the 'Think Small First' imitative; SME access to markets; SME access to funding, qualifications and innovation; SMEs and protecting the environment; and taking greater account of SMEs in EU policies. A questionnaire can be downloaded from http: //ec.europa.eu/yourvoice/ipm/forms/dispath?form=SBAeurope&lang=eu
In Brussels on Wednesday 6 February, the European Commission is holding a public hearing on the SBA, to be attended by Verheugen and Tomaz Jersic, Slovenian economics minister, which all interested parties are invited to attend.
Further details: http: //ec.europa.eu/enterprise/newsroom/cf/itemshortdetail.cfm?item_id=1256 (M.B.)