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As one of the world’s fastest-growing markets, Southeast Asia offers a wealth of opportunity for European businesses eyeing foreign markets. But despite the potential for growth, the region also poses numerous challenges, including different attitudes towards intellectual property rights. To help European SMEs navigate these differences, the Commission is excited to launch the ASEAN IPR SME Helpdesk. Full story
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Many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are reluctant to operate outside the borders of their own country, as they are afraid of encountering burdensome procedures when trying to claim payments for their products and services. SMEs often find it too daunting, complicated or expensive – because of consulting fees, legal counsel, document translation, etc. – to pursue legal action against companies or individuals in other Member States. Full story
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Both inside and outside their own borders, European small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are particularly vulnerable to late payments – one of the leading causes of bankruptcy among SMEs. The lack of protection for SMEs not only cripples businesses and stalls economic growth, but might also discourage would-be entrepreneurs from taking chances. This is why the European Commission has introduced multiple proposals to give SMEs the help they need to inject more dynamism in Europe’s economy. Full story
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Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are Europe’s job engine. Today, 85% of net new jobs in the EU’s private sector are created by SMEs. Thus, the EU has developed a number of concrete actions to promote a better economic environment for the 21 million SMEs in the EU, and support their efforts for creating new jobs. Full story
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The fashion industry is responsible for more than just the latest trends. Between retail outlets, manufacturers and links in the supply chain, Europe’s fashion sector accounts for hundreds of thousands of companies and millions of jobs. The Commission is taking the necessary steps to ensure that the industry continues to thrive, including eliminating trade barriers, protecting intellectual property and facilitating entry into international markets. Full story
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China has become a key market for SMEs hoping to make a splash overseas. Even so, China poses a series of challenges, including problems with protection of intellectual property rights and a dizzying web of regulations. But the China IPR Helpdesk, the EU SME Centre and the European Enterprise Network are here to help by bringing the risks – and rewards – of the Chinese market into focus. Full story
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Helping small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) tap into markets on the other side of the Atlantic was the central topic of the fourth European Union-United States SME Workshop, held in Washington, DC, on December 3 and 4, 2012. At the workshop, two business support networks – the EC’s Enterprise Europe Network and the US International Trade Administration – signed a Memorandum of Understanding on promoting cooperation. Specific areas for cooperation include the promotion of SME events and business partnering activities, participation in sector-specific or thematic seminars and the exchange of information on SME networking opportunities. Full story
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Did you know that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can easily notify the European Commission if they face problems in relation to EU laws and policies? With the help of the EU's 600 Enterprise Europe Network partners, SMEs can make their situation known. This applies not only during the formation of legislation, but after legislation has been put in place and also on an ongoing basis via the Enterprise Europe Network's standard consultation procedure. Full story
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Women's entrepreneurial potential is a very much underexploited source of economic growth and new jobs. The fact that women only account for 34.4% of the self-employed in Europe suggests that they need more encouragement to become entrepreneurs. As a source of inspiration and practical advice for women, the European Commission has set up a European Ambassadors’ Network and a European Mentors’ Network. Now it is up to the women themselves to take up the challenge... Full story
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You have a brilliant business idea but you’re not sure how to bring it to life? You are a newly established entrepreneur and need a helping hand? Or perhaps you are already running your own company successfully but would like to expand and would benefit from some fresh ideas? Then you need look no further than the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs programme, a mobility initiative financed by the European Union. Full story
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Thirty-seven examples of European small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that have achieved success on the international stage have just been unveiled in a publication as part of the European Commission’s drive to encourage entrepreneurship in Europe. 'The Secret of Success 2012-13' is a flagship publication for the European SME Week, which will be held from 15 to 21 October 2012. One of the aims of this event will be to promote entrepreneurship and inspire more European citizens to consider it as a viable career option. Full story
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If you are considering entering these markets or expanding your activities there, the European Commission offers two valuable programmes to help you to do so. Previous participants explain how their companies benefited from the Executive Training Programme (ETP) and the EU Gateway Programme. Full story
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Big multinational companies tend to secure the lion’s share of Europe’s media coverage, with lots of articles being written about their activities and plans. However, the reality is that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are a crucial driver for our economy, representing more than 98% of European businesses. SMEs can benefit from EU support in different forms and a recent guide presents a useful overview of the main opportunities available to them. Full story
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Daniel Calleja Crespo is the European Commission's SME Envoy, ensuring an active interface with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Full story
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The Competitiveness and Innovation Programme (CIP) promotes actions that address the challenges European industry is facing, with a special focus on the needs of small and medium-sized enterprises. The programme has been successful in meeting its main objectives according to a recent report, which highlights several of its achievements. Building on CIP's results, its funding successor – the new Programme for the Competitiveness of Enterprises and SMEs (COSME) - is expected to further strengthen and streamline actions in this field from 2014 onwards. Full story
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Small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in the European Union are of vital importance for economic growth. The Enterprise Europe Network is the world’s biggest business support network: in addition to providing SMEs with strategic services to enable cross-border co-operation, the Network offers valuable information and advice on how to access EU funding. Full story
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Expanding beyond EU borders still presents small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with obstacles, but the potential rewards of internationalisation for their growth are significant. The European Commission has therefore put forward a strategy to help European SMEs seize global opportunities by streamlining and strengthening support available for them. Full story
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Giving entrepreneurs a second chance at success and encouraging the handover of businesses are crucial ingredients in ensuring Europe’s long-term prosperity, according to a new study. These issues were also highlighted during the recent European SME Week 2011. Full story
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The European Commission is further strengthening the Enterprise Europe Network with new contact points in Asia and Africa. The growing reach of the Network was evident at its annual conference, which welcomed more than 900 participants from 50 countries. The event featured awards to companies which have successfully used the Network to find opportunities abroad or to develop their business and research activities. Full story
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The micro-credit sector can play a significant role in improving access to finance and encouraging entrepreneurship. A new flexible and voluntary European Code of Good Conduct for micro-credit provision aims to guide both businesses and financial institutions towards a better working relationship. Full story
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The European SME Week, which runs from 3 to 9 October, aims to inform entrepreneurs about available support, give recognition to their role in society and promote entrepreneurship. This year’s central event, the European SME Week Summit, will focus on two issues: transfers of business and a second chance for entrepreneurs. Hundreds of other events covering a wide range of topics and sectors will be held across Europe. Full story
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While small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are crucial to Europe’s economic well-being, they often find it difficult to secure financing. To tackle this issue, the EU has developed tools specifically aimed at giving SMEs greater access to loans and equity finance: these financial instruments, funded under the Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (CIP), have a strong track record of success. Full story
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Female entrepreneurship is a key resource for Europe. The Enterprise Europe Network provides the practical support needed to thrive in the business world. Full story
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While small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are vital to Europe’s economic growth by providing jobs and driving innovation, they require a business-friendly environment to flourish. This year’s European Enterprise Awards recognised the hard work of many public administrations, at the local and regional level, which have provided support to small businesses through effective projects aimed at promoting excellence in entrepreneurship. Full story
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Europe’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) need access to the global economy if they are to flourish. Partnerships involving SMEs, governments and support agencies could help increase the effectiveness of public support in this domain. With this in mind, the European Commission is consulting stakeholders to get feedback on concrete ideas for a comprehensive approach to support measures for internationalisation. Full story
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The Small Business Act (SBA) was launched in 2008 to ensure that European small and medium-sized enterprises have access to finance and markets and can thrive in a regulatory environment conducive to growth. A recent European Commission review reveals that progress in implementing the SBA’s measures has been made, while indicating further actions needed to respond to the new challenges that have emerged in the meantime. Full story
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In its mission to draw more women into business, the European Network of Female Entrepreneurship Ambassadors has developed in size, strength, reach and impact as it welcomes 120 new envoys. The initiative has been promoted by the European Commission as part of its strategy designed to boost the growth of SMEs across Europe. Full story
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European efforts to support enterprises, particularly smaller ones, and to promote industrial competitiveness can help achieve the objectives of the Europe 2020 strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. Now the European Commission has called on stakeholders to help define a post-2013 framework for business support measures. Full story
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The Enterprise Europe Network helps European SMEs to find business and technology partners and apply for EU funding. In addition, small businesses operating in 17 key industry sectors from retail to space technology can count on customised support from the Network. In these sectors, specialists from across Europe come together to organise brokerage and matchmaking events, using their expertise to find new markets and opportunities for companies. Full story
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In order to seize the opportunities opened up by internationalisation, enterprises need to take care of several aspects, not least the protection of their intellectual property rights. A new EU-US portal provides a wealth of useful information in this domain. Full story
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The Enterprise Europe Network's third annual conference in Antwerp, Belgium, rewarded four pioneering small businesses that have made outstanding progress in marketing innovative products across borders, thanks to partnerships set up with the Network's support. Full story
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Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) not only make up the vast majority of companies in the European Union, but they are also Europe's main job-creation engine. The annual report on European SMEs reveals that the economic crisis has caused this motor to stall temporarily, despite the fact that the EU and its Member States have improved the policy environment for SMEs. Full story
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Active in 19 countries outside the EU, the Enterprise Europe Network can help European small and medium-sized enterprises to internationalise beyond the single market, with all the benefits that can bring. Full story
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Internationalisation is vital for SMEs to prosper in an increasingly competitive world and could contribute to sustaining employment, according to a recent study. The survey maps the level of internationalisation of European SMEs, identifies the main barriers and advantages of internationalisation and proposes policy recommendations. Full story
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This year's European Enterprise Awards rewarded national, regional and local initiatives which helped to build an entrepreneurial and business-friendly environment for European enterprises to exit the current crisis and chart a course to sustainable growth. Full story
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How can Europe best equip the entrepreneurs of tomorrow with the skills and knowledge they will need to contribute to economic prosperity? A report has been published assessing how entrepreneurship education is delivered across Europe; it also outlines strategies to improve the way the subject is taught. Full story
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Hundreds of events are being organised in 37 countries for the European SME Week 2010, which will mainly take place between 25 May and 1 June, but will run throughout May and June. This initiative will showcase the support available to business at the European, national, regional and local level. Under the slogan 'Training business champions', it will also provide inspiration and practical help for the existing and future generations of entrepreneurs. Full story
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In a new series, E&I magazine looks at how the Enterprise Europe Network helps European SMEs do business in the single market and beyond. The network's new website makes it easy for companies to contact their local branch and to reach new markets in 46 countries. Full story
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Now in its second year, the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs programme has approved more than 800 applications from would-be entrepreneurs to spend time working with an experienced business person in another EU country. Sixty have already completed their placements and participants comment on their experience, with positive and interesting feedback. The new entrepreneurs are now well placed to do business within the wider EU market. Full story
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The winners of the first European Entrepreneurial Regions (EER) awards are a diverse group of territories - in terms of size, location and economic character - but they share one thing in common: a commitment to kindle and keep burning the light of entrepreneurship. Full story
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Since its launch in 2007, the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (EIP) has promoted several initiatives and produced important results: over 50 000 SMEs have already benefited from its guarantee scheme under the financial instruments and more than 11 000 SME co-operation agreements have been put forward. In 2010, the EIP will continue to support the Union's entrepreneurial and innovative capacity, including advising SMEs on intellectual property rights. Full story
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The European Union's drive to streamline and speed up company registration in order to promote entrepreneurship is paying dividends. European entrepreneurs can now start up a limited company in an impressive eight days on average, down from 22 days in 2001. But it does not end there: most Member States have now operational one-stop shops which have vastly streamlined the registration process. Full story
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When you are a small business, who do you go to for help when your sights turn to bigger things? Success stories from Germany, the United Kingdom and Poland show how the Enterprise Europe Network is helping SMEs expand markets, find partners for innovation and obtain EU funding to develop their businesses. Full story
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Entrepreneurs are indispensable to Europe's economic growth and prosperity. But women are still held back from launching their own companies by a range of barriers including education, stereotypes, lack of confidence and access to start-up finance. The EU is working with Member States to overcome these obstacles, thus enabling women to express their potential to the full. A new network of Female Entrepreneurship Ambassadors will help spread the message. Full story
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What differences have companies observed when trying to access finance since the economic crisis hit? A recent Eurobarometer survey of companies tries to establish to what extent firms are now finding it harder to gain credit or investment. This survey is intended to be the first of a regular series charting the financial environment in different countries so as to identify key areas of action regarding businesses' access to finance. Full story
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The 'Think small first' principle is now at the heart of EU policy-making, but how is it applied in practice? The European Commission has identified concrete procedures to ensure the principle can be applied effectively and to learn from examples of SME-favourable initiatives throughout the Union. Full story
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Commission Vice-President Günter Verheugen with representatives of Scarborough Renaissance Partnership, Jury's Grand Prize Winner. Entrepreneurs need a supportive environment. Recognising this, public authorities at all levels are, more than ever, developing policies and initiatives to make life easier for small business and therefore encourage more entrepreneurship. The European Enterprise Awards - this year's were recently presented in Prague - are organised to recognise the efforts made by authorities from all over Europe, and to demonstrate the results which can be achieved with such policies. Full story
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The European Commission has launched the "Your World, Your Business" campaign to encourage young people in schools to debate the role of enterprises in helping society and protecting the environment. At a time when economic models are questioned, the campaign, based on a film in which young entrepreneurs show how their firms are helping society, seeks to inspire young people to set up responsible businesses themselves. Full story
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Small and medium-sized enterprises can benefit from a wide range of EU, national and regional programmes and policies. The first European SME Week aims to raise awareness of the support available to business. Taking place from 6 to 14 May, it will see around 600 events held in 35 European countries. The Week will also promote entrepreneurship, and its value to society, to a broader public. Full story
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A programme giving officials from the Enterprise and Industry DG the chance to spend a week in a European SME is improving understanding on both sides: the visit offers officials a different perspective on their work, while companies can gain a better insight into EU policies. Full story
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The European Parliament elections in June are the opportunity for European citizens to choose their representatives, who will shape EU policies for the next five years. The new, or re-elected, Members of the European Parliament will have a major influence in determining how EU legislation supports entrepreneurs and enterprises. In this article, we hear from several MEPs on the key issues in the enterprise and industry field. Full story
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The 'Your Europe - Business' portal gives entrepreneurs and company managers easy access to information on all aspects of doing business in each EU Member State. Recently relaunched with an extended range of information, the site aims to help businesses take advantage of opportunities to trade and offer their services in the Single Market. Full story
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Experienced entrepreneurs who have "been there and done it" can provide valuable help for people starting out in business. By helping new or aspiring entrepreneurs spend working time with a host entrepreneur in another country, the EU's new Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs programme offers access to good advice. It also opens up prospects for new business relationships with partners from different countries in the Single Market. Full story
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Reflecting that 2009 is the European Year of Creativity and Innovation, the annual work programme for the EU's Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (EIP) is focusing on enhancing the innovativeness of European enterprises and improving the business environment for SMEs. Full story
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As small to medium-sized enterprises increasingly feel the crunch of the financial and economic crisis, a European Commission-hosted round table considered what the Union, Member States and other stakeholders can do to boost SMEs' access to credit. Full story
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