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The European Union’s population of 500 million provides a huge market for Irish commerce, and membership has made it easier, faster and cheaper to conduct business across the 27 EU states.

Countless large companies, small businesses and individuals are now providing goods and services thousands of miles away from their country of origin.

And because of the EU’s Single Market it’s now almost as easy to trade across Europe as it is to within the borders of a single nation.

Commerce has always been at the heart of the European Union. In fact, the forerunner of today’s EU, the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), was originally established to forge economic links between member states.

The European Common Market established in 1957 helped make trade within Europe easier but it was the Single European Act in 1986 that really paved the way for the free movement of labour, capital, goods and services.

The introduction of the euro has also helped Irish businesses operate in the EU, and obstacles that once got in the way of imports and exports have been removed.

	Assisting Business EU countries are working together continuously to make life as easy as possible for businesses and Irish companies of any size can now operate freely in a market that includes some of the world’s wealthiest countries. Member states have cooperated to reduce bureaucracy and technical and safety standards have been harmonised. The EU is also trying to encourage more small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to operate outside their national borders by providing information, advice and even financial support in some cases. The interests of SMEs is at the heart of a Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (CIP) that covers the period from 2007-2013 and which was adopted by the EU in 2006. CIP includes an Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme designed to promote entrepreneurship, competitiveness and innovation and it targets everything from companies with high growth potential to traditional micro-businesses and family-run firms. As part of this programme, the EU has created a number of financial instruments for businessesto facilitate access to equity loans or financing through a financial intermediary. The European Commission has developed an internet portal, the Small Business Portal, specially designed for SMEs. It provides information on the different types of funding available and how to apply for it.
	Starting Up The European Commission has developed an internet portal for businesses which covers the steps involved in starting a business in each of the EU member states. The website goes through all the stages needed from getting up and running right through to managing and expanding. Online tools at the European Job Mobility portal (EURES) can also help research the labour markets across Europe to find out where workers might be available and see how industries are performing in different countries. Specialised support services are available locally too thanks to the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) which offers information and tailored services to businesses. The network was created by the European Commission in 2008 to provide a simple ‘one-stop-shop’ for information to help European businesses. Businesses can contact the nearest partner in the network from where they’ll be guided to the most appropriate service. In Ireland the network points include Enterprise Ireland and chambers of commerce in Dublin , Cork , Galway , Sligo and Waterford . Network points can provide information and practical advice on market opportunities, European legislation and policies relevant to a company or sector. The EEN also aims to help SMEs find suitable business partners using its business and technology cooperation database and it can provide information on tender opportunities and international networking. EU nations are continuing to work towards providing a single point of contact for start-ups. Fees for registering a business will be reduced and the time it takes to have it registered cut down to a week.
	Service Providers There’s also specific help for service providers too. Under the European Services Directive, which is due to be fully implemented by the end of 2009, all EU countries are obliged to simplify procedures for starting up or carrying out a service business. That means companies and individuals providing services should also be able to complete all necessary formalities through single contact points, from a distance and by electronic means.
	Solving problems Naturally, setting up a business in Europe presents unique challenges but the European Commission coordinates a network designed to solve any problems that might arise. SOLVIT was created to allow EU member states work together to solve problems caused by the misapplication of internal market law by public authorities. Every member state has a SOLVIT centre to deal with complaints from both citizens and businesses. The service is free and is committed to providing real solutions to problems within ten weeks. In Ireland the SOLVIT centre is run by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment from its offices in Dublin.
	Links European Small Business Portal - this provides information on the different types of funding available and how to access them: http://ec.europa.eu/small-business/funding-partners-public/finance/index_en.htm Fingal Guide to Enterprise - This Fingal Guide to Enterprise provides a first stop shop if you are thinking about starting your own business, or expanding an existing one: http://www.fingalenterprise.ie/