12 de Julho, 2024

SMEunited e Parlamento Europeu

Nas vésperas da primeira reunião do Parlamento Europeu pós-eleições europeias, a ter lugar na próxima semana, a SMEunited – Parceiro Social Patronal Europeu em que a CCP está filiada – expressou um conjunto de mensagens que apelam a uma União Europeia Empreendedora.

SMEunited calls on the European Parliament to create an entrepreneurial European Union

“The 24.3 million entrepreneurs, craftswomen and -men and small business in Europe expect the Members of the European Parliament to finally make policy on the basis of the 99,2% companies in Europe, instead of for the 0,8%” insisted SMEunited President Petri Salminen ahead of the first Plenary meeting of the European Parliament taking place next week.

Crafts and SMEs are the heart of the European economy and society. Ensuring a good economic environment for these businesses is therefore essential to achieve the wider objectives of the European Union, including a resilient society with a strong democratic foundation.

“As entrepreneurs we work side by side with our employees, providing quality products and services to our customers. In addition, we manage our company, take care of our employees, keep up with new legislation and business developments and implement those in our company. Fulfilling administrative and reporting requests takes away valuable time and resources that could be invested to add value to our business and the society” explained President Salminen.

“Therefore”, he continued “we want the Members of the European Parliament to acknowledge the potential of SMEs as the building block for resilient local communities: In view of security and defence, SMEs play a crucial role in providing in daily needs, creating jobs, providing in training and social cohesion, in particular in rural and remote areas. They strengthen the cohesion between rural and urban areas, counter social vulnerabilities, support and safeguard critical infrastructure and provide for resilient and diversified supply chains.”

“If we want them to play that role to the fullest, decision makers finally have to apply consistently the “Think Small First” principle” Mr Salminen emphasised. “EU-legislation and policy in the previous mandate was still developed on the basis of the 0.2% large companies, whilst the 24.3 million SMEs have to comply with the same rules, often not unsuitable for their reality. In order to strengthen the European competitiveness, legislation must be made on the basis of the capacity of the smallest companies. Additional layers and provisions may then be added if stricter requirements are necessary due to size and impact of the business.”

“The most important request from entrepreneurs is to reduce the regulatory burden” stated Mr Salminen. “Action is required now to create breathing space for small companies: the 25% reduction of reporting requirements must be substantiated within the first 100 days of the new Commission mandate. Looking back, the one-in-one-out approach was not enough to tackle the pressure on SMEs. Decision makers must move beyond the “one-in-one-out” and really reduce burdens on SMEs. That requires an assessment and reduction of the cumulative and indirect regulatory burden as well.”

SMEunited published concrete policy proposals for this new legislative mandate following its General Assembly. Read up on how to shape Europe for Crafts and SMEs here!