8 Amendments of Christophe HANSEN related to 2020/2131(INI)
Amendment 5 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Recalls that small and medium- sized enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of the EU economy; underlines that the proper functioning of the internal market and the creation of a capital market union remains an absolute priority for SMEs; Notes that only a small percentage of firms who export goods outside the EU are SMEs, and that global markets are an important source of potential for SMEs to increase competitiveness, economic growth and innovation; Notes that frictionless trade and freedom of movement of the EU’s Single Market provides SME’s with the necessary scale and experience to export beyond the borders of the EU and to access further desirable markets.
Amendment 9 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Regrets the serious impact of the COVID19 pandemic and necessary health measures implemented to suppress the spread, including the lockdown of economies, on global trade with both imports and exports of the EU being reduced and value chains interrupted or halted as a result; Notes that further disruption will be experienced by European businesses due the United Kingdom leaving the European Union and the Commission must therefore ensure that trade flows and sustained value chains, including trading routes for freight traffic across the EU, remain open to allow free access to sales markets maintain integrity of the single market.
Amendment 30 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. EncouragesCalls on the Commission to fully support SMEs in overcoming all barriers that prevent their access to third- country markets; requests the inclusion of anWelcomes the commitments made by the Commission to include SME chapters in every trade agreement to ensure legal security for SMEs; underlines the need for the effective enforcement of trade agreements as a priority task of the Chief Trade Enforcement Officer;
Amendment 39 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Calls on the Commission to be more active in its support of national and regional export agencies in order to allow SMEs to overcome the information gap and take better advantage of trade agreements; opines, in this respect, that the Commission cshould set up an SME internationalisation platform to monitor progress and provide technical assistance to SMEs in accessing new markets;
Amendment 43 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Calls on the Commission to take greater account of the role of SMEsfacilitate participation of SMEs in public procurement when it comes to negotiating public procurement chapters in trade agreements; welcomes the announcement from the Commission that it will launch a new information portal on customs procedures and formalitieprovide user- friendly, up-to-date and practical information on trade policy and in particular on FTAs; calls on the Commission to deliver on its objective of launching a simplified self-assessment tool for rules of origin and life cycle analysis, where a particular focus should be placed on risk assessment, to help SMEs assess whether a product benefits from preferences under a given trade agreement and how they can take advantage of strategic diversification of supply chains;
Amendment 47 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Recalls that access to financing is essential for SMEs; asks the European Investment Bank to pay particular attention to SMEs when defining its policies; draws particular attention to SMEs, which need funding, such as micro financing loans, and technical assistance to comply with the Green Deal and digitalisation objectives in order to remain competitive;as well as reducing regulatory burden in order to remain competitive; Notes that the Commission needs to remove barriers to green growth and eco-innovation for SMEs to ensure that the Green Deal is an economic opportunity for SMEs.
Amendment 53 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Calls on the Commission to strengtheneffectively implement the EU’s safeguard and trade defence instruments in order to better protect European industry, in particular when it affects sectors with a majority of SMEs; underlines the need to focus on implementation and enforcement of our trade agreements, for breaches of both market access and trade and sustainable development commitments, in order to effectively address market distortions so that SMEs do not face a competitive disadvantage. urges the Commission, in this regard, to enhance the role of the SME Trade Defence Helpdesk to both increase support to SMEs in accessing trade defence instruments and to enhance communication to SMEs of the tools available in addressing distortions in markets.
Amendment 54 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Calls on the Commission to strengthen the EU’s safeguard and trade defence instruments in order to better protect European industry, in particular when it affects sectors with a majority of SMEs. ; Refers to the July 2020 Special Report1a issued by the European Court of Auditors, which pointed out that the administrative hurdles for SMEs to access trade defence procedures are still very high and that TDIs are not sufficiently promoted among all sectors of European industry; urges the Commission in this context to assess and reduce the administrative burden for SMEs and to increase its outreach; _________________ 1a https://www.eca.europa.eu/lists/ecadocum ents/sr20_17/sr_trade_defence_instrumen ts_en.pdf