Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) strategy

Today, the European Commission will present its small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) strategy. Damian Boeselager, Volt MEP and Greens/EFA Member of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy, comments:

"Small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) form the backbone of the European economy. It is good that the European Commission acknowledges the tough decisions SMEs are facing today to be competitive in the digital age and to transition to Green and sustainable business models. Especially smaller businesses still struggle with diverging rules and procedures in the different Member States. SMEs need be able to compete head-on with larger and more resourceful actors in the economy. Instead of weakening competition law to create European Champions, the EU and national authorities need to strengthen their efforts to protect SMEs from unfair market practices and unnecessary regulatory burden.

"The Commission's SME strategy points to these challenges. However, it is only a first step to help transform European SMEs towards sustainable and competitive success. After all, none of these initiatives can have an impact if national governments deny sufficient funds for this transition in the MFF negotiations."