Introduction by Jürgen Creutzmann
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) provide two-thirds of all private sector jobs in Europe. More than half of the value creation of European companies
is attributed to SMEs. Therefore SMEs are the main driving force for economic growth, innovation and employment. With its campaign to boost SMEs, the
Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) in the European Parliament acknowledges the strategic importance of SMEs for the prosperity of the
European Union and makes SME policy one of its political priorities for the years to come.
The ALDE group is determined to boost successful entrepreneurship in Europe and to further improve the framework conditions for SMEs in three priority areas:
smart regulation and simplification of rules, easier financing and better market access.
For each area, we have formulated our key requests with regard to forthcoming EU policy initiatives in our Manifesto for a European SME Policy.
The ALDE campaign to boost SMEs comes at a critical time where SMEs are still facing the adverse effects of the economic crisis and many citizens have doubts
about the European project. At the same time, 2012 marks the 20th anniversary of the Single Market, one of the major achievements of European integration,
which provides unprecedented opportunities for SMEs. We should use this occasion to tear down the remaining barriers, so that SMEs can finally reap the full
benefits of the Single Market and lead the way out of the crisis.
Smart regulation and simplification of rules
1. Intensify use of SME impact assessments when preparing new EU laws.
2. Take account of specific needs of micro-entities.
3. Withdrawal of obsolete and ineffective laws affecting SMEs ('fitness check').
4. Simplify the requirements for annual accounts of limited liability companies.
5. Simplify the current VAT system.
6. Improve intellectual property rights framework.
7. Improve mutual recognition of professional qualifications.
8. Promote alternative resolution of cross-border disputes.
9. Develop a second chance policy for honest entrepreneurs trying to restart a business after suffering bankruptcy.
Easier financing
10. Simplify accessibility to EU financing instruments for SMEs.
11. Create a European statute for cross-border venture capital funds.
12. Safeguard SME portfolios under Basel III capital requirements for banks.
13. Encourage SMEs to diversify financing for their activities.
14. Simplify cross-border debt recovery in order to improve legal certainty.
15. Early transposition of the late payments directive (foreseen only for January 2013).
16. Ensure SMEs benefit more from EU structural funding in the regions.
Improved market access
17. Support a Common Consolidated Corporate Tax Base in order to simplify tax rules, reduce compliance costs and remove tax obstacles.
18. Improve framework for SME participation in public procurement.
19. Improve SME involvement in the definition of new regulatory standards.
20. A Common European Sales Law to reduce cross-border transaction costs.
21. Urge Member States to agree on a statute for a European Private Company.
22. Support SME access to third country markets.
