45 Amendments of Patrizia TOIA related to 2011/0394(COD)
Amendment 95 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10 a (new)
Recital 10 a (new)
(10a) The Programme should also support administrative simplification, adaptation of SME to the objectives of EU 2020 and access of SMEs to all the relevant EU programmes
Amendment 97 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11
Recital 11
(11) The Programme should particularly address SMEs, as defined in Commission Recommendation 2003/361/EC of 6 May 2003 concerning the definition of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises. Particular attention should be paid to micro enterprises, enterprises engaged in craft activities and social enterprises and in all related areas of activity. Attention should also be paid to the specific characteristics and requirements of young entrepreneurs, new and potential entrepreneurs and female entrepreneurs, as well as specific target groups, such as migrants and entrepreneurs belonging to socially disadvantaged or vulnerable groups such as persons with disabilities. The Programme should also encourage senior citizens to become and remain entrepreneurs and promote second chances for entrepreneurs.
Amendment 105 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11 a (new)
Recital 11 a (new)
(11a) The clustering of SMEs is a key instrument by which to strengthen their capacity to innovate and to begin operating on overseas markets; forms of cooperation among enterprises, such as clusters, networks of firms and export consortia should be adequately supported by means of appropriate policies and instruments.
Amendment 115 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 13
Recital 13
(13) The Enterprise Europe Network has proven its added value for European SMEs as a one-stop-shop for business support by helping enterprises to improve their competitiveness and explore business opportunities in the Single Market and beyond. The streamlining of methodologies and working methods and provisions of a European dimension to business support services can only be achieved at Union level. In particular, the Network has helped SMEs to find cooperation or technology transfer partners, get advice on sources of financing, and on intellectual property and on eco-innovation and sustainable production. It has also obtained feedback on Union legislation and standards. Its unique expertise is particularly important in overcoming information asymmetries and alleviating transaction costs associated with cross-border transactions. SME representative organisations should be closely involved in the elaboration and functioning of the Network, since they are in close contact with the target group.
Amendment 164 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1
Article 1
A programme for Union actions to improve the competitiveness of enterprises, with special emphasis on smallelf-employed, micro, small, craft and medium- sized enterprises (SMEs), social economy enterprises and liberal professions (hereinafter ‘"the Programme’"), is established for the period from 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2020."
Amendment 185 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) encouraging an entrepreneurial culture from secondary school level and promoting the creation, consolidation and growth of SMEs.
Amendment 193 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point a
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) percentage of growth of the Union's industrial sector and industry-linked service sector in relation to total Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth,
Amendment 198 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point b
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point b
(b) Union manufacturing output growth in eco-industries and supply of eco-sustainable products and services,
Amendment 205 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point c a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point c a (new)
(ca) the implementation of the principles of the SBA and the application of its priorities in EU policies and programmes.
Amendment 206 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point c a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point c a (new)
(ca) increase in investments in clean technologies,
Amendment 207 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point c b (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point c b (new)
(cb) simplification of the legislative framework,
Amendment 211 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point d a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point d a (new)
(da) support for the clustering and upsizing of SMEs,
Amendment 246 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point d a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point d a (new)
(da) To improve access to markets by promoting the adaptation of European standard and regulations to the needs and realities of micro and small enterprises;
Amendment 252 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point d b (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point d b (new)
Amendment 253 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point d c (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point d c (new)
(dc) To facilitate transfer of business.
Amendment 255 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point d d (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point d d (new)
(dd) to support the role and activities of SME intermediary organisations
Amendment 261 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1
Article 4 – paragraph 1
1. The financial envelope for implementing the Programme shall be EUR 2.522 billion, of which approximately EUR 1.4 billionapproximately 0.5% of the multiannual financial framework and at least 60 % shall be allocated to financial instruments.
Amendment 270 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1
Article 6 – paragraph 1
1. The Commission shall support actions to improve and strengthen the competitiveness and sustainability of Union enterprises, particularly SMEs, so as to enhance the effectiveness, coherence and consistency of national policies promoting competitiveness and consolidation, sustainability and the growth of enterprises in Europe, with a specific focus on creating enterprises in innovative sectors with a high rate of potential development and also by creating a mark of origin (Made in....).
Amendment 281 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 2 – point a
Article 6 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) measures to improve the design, implementation and evaluation of policies affecting the competitiveness and sustainability of enterprises, including disaster resilience, and to secure the development of appropriate infrastructures and of efficient and reliable logistics, world class clusters and business networks, framework conditions and development of sustainable products, services and processes;
Amendment 288 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 2 – point b
Article 6 – paragraph 2 – point b
(b) measures to encourage cooperation in policy making and exchange of good practices among the Member States, other countries participating in the Programme and the Union's main competitors, and to address international aspects of competitiveness policies, focusing also on mechanisms relating to protection against dumped imports from countries that are not members of the European Community.
Amendment 298 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 2 – point c
Article 6 – paragraph 2 – point c
(c) support for SME policy development and cooperation between policy makers, particularly with a view to improving the ease-of-access to programmes and measures for SMEs, in keeping with the principles of the Small Business Act and paying special attention to the role that can be played by local authorities.
Amendment 302 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 2 – point c a (new)
Article 6 – paragraph 2 – point c a (new)
(ca) support for aggregation, including the creation of clusters and transnational networks, and the upsizing of SMEs.
Amendment 312 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 3
Article 6 – paragraph 3
3. The Commission may support initiatives accelerating the emergence of competitive industries based on cross-sectoral activities in areas characterised by a high proportion of SMEs and with a high contribution to the Union's GDP, and the emergence of innovative industries, such as creative industries linked to ICT innovations. Such initiatives shall stimulate development of new markets and the supply of goods and services based on the most competitive business models or on modified value- chains. They shall include initiatives to enhance productivity, resource efficiency, sustainability and corporate social responsibility.
Amendment 317 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 3 a (new)
Article 6 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. The Commission shall undertake to develop indicators on the entrepreneurship of SMEs and shall collect the relevant data. The data shall be collected locally and aggregated at European level to ensure they are comparable and to learn about best practices or those which do not work.
Amendment 321 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1
Article 7 – paragraph 1
1. The Commission shall contribute to promoting entrepreneurship by improving framework conditions affecting the development of entrepreneurship, harmonising legislation in force and reducing bureaucratic costs borne by SMEs in the different Member States. The Commission shall support a business environment favourable to enterprise development and growth, growth and consolidation.
Amendment 325 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2
Article 7 – paragraph 2
2. Particular attention shall be paid to young entrepreneurs, new and potential entrepreneurs and female entrepreneurs, as well as specific target groups such as entrepreneurs aged between 30 and 60 hit by the crisis.
Amendment 332 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 3
Article 7 – paragraph 3
3. The Commission may support Member States'’ measures and those of the regions to build- up entrepreneurial education, skills and attitudes, at local level also, in particular among potential and new entrepreneurs, including by means of coaching and mentoring for entrepreneurs (cf. temporary management figure).
Amendment 338 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 3 a (new)
Article 7 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. The Commission will support capacity-building for SME intermediary organisations to improve the quality and availability of CSR advice for small and medium sized enterprises.
Amendment 339 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 3 b (new)
Article 7 – paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. The Commission may support Member States’ measures to introduce tax concessions for SMEs.
Amendment 340 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 3 c (new)
Article 7 – paragraph 3 c (new)
3c. The Commission shall support the creation in Member States of university spin-off companies and of business accelerators and incubators.
Amendment 342 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1
Article 8 – paragraph 1
1. The Commission shall support actions which aim to improve access to finance for SMEs in their start-up and growth, growth and consolidation phases, being complementary to the Member States' use of financial instruments for SMEs at national and regional level. In order to ensure complementarity, these actions will be closely coordinated with those undertaken in the framework of cohesion policy and at national level. Such actions shall aim to stimulate the supply of both equity and debt finance.
Amendment 349 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 2
Article 8 – paragraph 2
2. As part of the actions referred to in paragraph 1, the Commission shall develop measures, subject to market demand, to improve cross-border and multi-country financing, thereby assisting SMEs to internationalise their activities or establish alliances and mergers with other SMEs, in compliance with Union law.
Amendment 361 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 1
Article 9 – paragraph 1
1. In order to continue improving the competitiveness and access to markets of Union enterprises, the Commission shall maintain its support for the Enterprise Europe Network, checking how effective Network stakeholders are proving to be at local level.
Amendment 374 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 3
Article 9 – paragraph 3
3. Specific measures shall aim to facilitate SMEs access to markets outside the Union, and to strengthening existing support services in those markets. SMEs may receive support through the Programme as regards standards and, intellectual property rights and customs procedures in priority third countries and in the single market.
Amendment 375 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 4
Article 9 – paragraph 4
4. Actions under the Programme may aim to foster international industrial cooperation and cooperation in the tertiary sector linked to the enterprise, including industrial and regulatory dialogues with third countries. Specific measures may aim to reduce differences between the Union and other countries in regulatory frameworks for industrial products and for services, on industrial policy and the improvement of the business environment.
Amendment 378 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 4 a (new)
Article 9 – paragraph 4 a (new)
Amendment 395 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 1 – point d
Article 11 – paragraph 1 – point d
(d) the evaluation of legislation affecting enterprises, in particular SMEs with special emphasis on small and micro, specific industrial policy and competitiveness-related measures.
Amendment 411 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 1
Article 14 – paragraph 1
1. Financial instruments under the Programme shall be operated with the aim of facilitating access to finance for growthstart- ups and for growth and consolidation- oriented SMEs. The financial instruments shall include an equity facility and a loan guarantee facility.
Amendment 423 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 4 a (new)
Article 14 – paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. There is a need to guarantee that information on the availability of the financial instruments filters down to local levels. The procedures for use of the financial instruments shall be the same in all Member States and shall be simplified and publicised.
Amendment 424 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 4 b (new)
Article 14 – paragraph 4 b (new)
4b. The Commission shall draft mandatory contracts with financial intermediaries which make publication of the existence of these instruments mandatory.
Amendment 425 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 4 c (new)
Article 14 – paragraph 4 c (new)
4c. Provision shall be made for EU backed financial instruments to be combined with national and regional funding and for the Structural Funds to be used as a financial guarantee.
Amendment 426 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 4 d (new)
Article 14 – paragraph 4 d (new)
4d. It shall be possible for the financial instruments to be used in combination with other EU funds and in particular with the Structural Funds.
Amendment 441 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – Specific Objective: To improve framework conditions for the competitiveness and sustainability of EU enterprises, including in the tourism sector – Developing SME policy
Annex I – Specific Objective: To improve framework conditions for the competitiveness and sustainability of EU enterprises, including in the tourism sector – Developing SME policy
Amendment 459 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex II – section 2 – point 2 (b)
Annex II – section 2 – point 2 (b)
(b) by funds-of-funds or investment vehicles investing across borders established by the EIF or other entities entrusted with the implementation on behalf of the Commission together with private investors and/or, national public financial institutions and venture capital operators active at regional and local level;
Amendment 463 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex II – section 3 – point 3
Annex II – section 3 – point 3
3. The LGF shall, except for loans in the securitised portfolio, cover loans up to EUR 1500.000 and with a minimum maturity of 12 months. The LGF shall be designed in such way that it will be possible to report on the innovative SMEs supported, both in terms of number and volume of loans.