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08/05/13 SMEs and entrepreneurship

Support for debt recovery across borders

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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08/05/13 SMEs and entrepreneurship

EC helps SMEs enter Asian market

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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08/05/13 SMEs and entrepreneurship

Giving SMEs tools to combat late payments

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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08/05/13 Innovation

Avoiding damage from space debris

Space debris poses a risk to our space infrastructure and to the space services we rely on in our daily lives. European satellite operators lose roughly €140 million per year due to collisions, and that total will rise to about €210 million within the next decade. Therefore, the European Commission has introduced measures to help EU Member States combine their space surveillance and tracking (SST) technology. The proposed European SST service will allow Member States to locate and monitor satellites and dangerous debris, alert satellite operators of collision risks and notify public administrations of so-called uncontrolled re-entries. Full story
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03/05/13 Industrial policy

Where are we with new partnership for EU industry?

Following the creation of its blueprint for raising industry’s contribution to EU GDP from 16 % to 20 % by 2020, the European Commission will host a conference on Industrial Policy on 6 June in Brussels. By bringing together political leaders, business people and industry experts, the conference will focus on progress made so far, as well as further action that can bring immediate benefits to help restore industrial growth. Full story
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03/05/13 SMEs and entrepreneurship

EU gives top priority to helping SMEs create jobs

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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03/05/13 Competitiveness, energy and environment

High-end products in Europe: combining cultural heritage and economic growth

European brands account for at least 70 % of the global high-end goods market. And while high-end products are usually associated with fashion, the sector consists of a wide range of products and services: cars, yachts, furniture, wines, spirits and more. The European Commission is committed to ensuring Europe’s high-end sector continues to thrive. Full story
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25/04/13 Industrial policy

Construction: Single market made easy for companies

Construction companies wishing to expand their business to another EU Member State need to know the challenges they might face. Employment, environmental and safety requirements may differ, quite like those for construction materials and products. The European Commission has launched several initiatives to help enterprises overcome these difficulties, equipping construction companies with the information they need to be successful in other EU countries. Full story
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25/04/13 Industrial policy

NANDO: Conformity assessments ensure safe products

For almost 30 years, products have been circulating freely in Europe based on the simple condition that producers can guarantee their products (e.g., hair dryers, toys, smartphones, TVs, washing machines, etc.) are safe. One of the ways in which this is achieved is to have the products tested and certified against the ’essential requirements’ of the applicable legislation by the bodies listed in the database called NANDO. These organisations provide conformity assessment services both inside and outside the EU, and thus protect Europe’s citizens and businesses. Full story
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25/04/13 Industrial policy

Preventing obstacles to trade before they arise

Although we enjoy the free movement of goods in the internal market, more than 15 000 national technical regulations can make it difficult for enterprises to sell their products – from bicycles to foodstuffs – in other Member States. However, there is a preventive tool which enables enterprises to anticipate the creation of such barriers to trade: the notification procedure under Directive 98/34/EC, which requires new technical regulations to be put on hold before being adopted in order to avoid obstacles to trade. Full story
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25/04/13 Industrial policy

Tajani: Common charger for small electronic devices

A recent report shows that the European Commission’s 2009 initiative to harmonise chargers for mobile phones is yielding results. Thanks to the agreement, which was reached with mobile phone manufacturers through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the vast majority of new devices placed on the market today support a compatible charger based on Micro-USB technology. Unfortunately, the MoU expired at the end of 2012. But in an interview with Enterprise & Industry Magazine, European Commission Vice-President Antonio Tajani explains that the Commission’s ambition to harmonise chargers has no expiration date. Full story
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13/02/13 SMEs and entrepreneurship

Fashion: where manufacturing meets creativity

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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06/02/13 Industrial policy

Missions for Growth: EU businesses benefit from emerging markets

The world’s fastest growing economies are not in Europe. And that’s why the European Commission is committed to opening doors for European enterprises around the globe. The Commission has sent representatives and business delegations to emerging markets in Africa, Latin America and Asia. The insights they gain will help EU SMEs capitalise on external growth – which, in turn, will spur growth here in Europe. Full story
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30/01/13 SMEs and entrepreneurship

EC helps SMEs land safely in China

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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23/01/13 Industrial policy

Avoiding barriers to global trade

While all countries have the right to adopt technical regulations to achieve legitimate purposes (e.g. ensuring public health or protecting the environment and consumers) the TBT Agreement (Technical Barriers to Trade) helps prevent unfair, protectionist measures. Administered by the World Trade Organisation (WTO), the TBT Agreement alerts European businesses about potential new regulations and encourages global harmonisation and mutual recognition. European businesses can contribute to work of the European Commission on avoiding technical barriers to trade. This collaboration benefits enterprises large and small. The resulting collaboration benefits enterprises large and small. Full story
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23/01/13 Industrial policy

EU and China agree to improve toy safety

Because toys are for children, it is important to have additional regulations to ensure safety. That’s why the Netherlands – one of the EU’s main entry points for toys – has teamed up with China – one of the EU’s main sources of toy imports –signed an action plan called, ‘Cooperation in the field of toy safety’. The resulting collaboration will promote toy safety and, by extension, promote child safety. Full story
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23/01/13 Innovation

Mobile technologies personalise tourism

The European Mobile and Mobility Industries Alliance (EMMIA), which brings together regional and national policymakers and practitioners at European level, is helping European tourists make the most of their excursions. By taking advantage of cutting-edge mobile technologies, the EMMIA is making remote destinations accessible, bolstering local economies and creating unforgettable trips. Full story
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23/01/13 Innovation

Robot preps for space – in Spain

The European Commission is promoting future space exploration with the Planetary Robotics Vision Scout project, or PRoViScout. As a collaborative EU project, PRoViScout unites major European groups working to create robotic vision for planetary space exploration. The result is futuristic technology – today. Full story
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23/01/13 SMEs and entrepreneurship

EU/US Transatlantic cooperation: Helping SMEs go international

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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23/01/13 Industrial policy

Industrial revolution brings industry back to Europe

Europe needs its real economy now more than ever to underpin our ongoing economic recovery. As such, EU actions will be designed to reverse the current downward trend and to promote the reindustrialisation of Europe. Industry currently accounts for about 16% of EU GDP. Therefore, the European Commission has set its goal that industry's share of GDP should be around 20% by 2020. Full story
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