Activities of Olle SCHMIDT related to 2011/0394(COD)
Shadow opinions (1)
OPINION on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a Programme for the Competitiveness of Enterprises and small and medium-sized enterprises (2014 - 2020)
Amendments (27)
Amendment 40 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1
Recital 1
(1) The Commission adopted the Communication ‘Europe 2020 - A strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth’ in March 2010 (hereinafter ‘the Europe 2020 Strategy’). The Communication was endorsed by the European Council of June 2010. The Europe 2020 Strategy responds to the economic crisis and is intended to prepare Europe for the next decade. It sets five ambitious objectives on climate and energy, employment, innovation, education and social inclusion to be reached by 2020 and identifies key drivers for growth, which aim at making Europe more dynamic and competitive. It also emphasises the importance of reinforcing the growth of the European economy while delivering high levels of employment, a low carbon, resource and energy-efficient economy and social cohesion, for example through SMEs that have an important role in reaching those objectives.
Amendment 43 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8
Recital 8
(8) The competitiveness policy of the Union is intended to put into place the institutional and policy arrangements that create conditions under which enterprises can be created and grow in a sustainable way. Improved productivity is the dominant source of sustainable income growth, which in turn contributes to improvements in living standards. Competitiveness also depends on companies' ability to take full advantage of opportunities such as the European Single Market. This is especially important for SMEs, which account for 99% of the enterprises in the Union, provide two out of three existing jobs in the private sector, and 80 % of newly-created jobs, and contribute with more than half of the total value-added created by enterprises in the Union. SMEs are a key driver for economic growth, employment and social integration.
Amendment 45 #
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. 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 disadvantagond chances for entrepreneurs. Targeted information should also be provided for vulnerablespecific groups, such as migrants and persons with disabilities. The Programme should also encourage senior citizens to become and remain entrepreneurs and promote second chances for entrepreneurs.
Amendment 48 #
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. Where possible the Network should be further optimised through enhanced contact with national contact points and a higher profile in Member States.
Amendment 52 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15
Recital 15
(15) To improve the competitiveness of European enterprises, notably SMEs, the Member States and the Commission need to create a favourable business environment. The interests of SMEs and the sectors in which they are most active need particular attention. Initiatives at Union level are necessary in order to develop a level playing field for SMEs and, to exchange information and knowledge on a European scale and to support the development of a common Union SME policy with European added value.
Amendment 54 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16
Recital 16
(16) Another factor which affects competitiveness is the relatively weak entrepreneurial spirit in the Union. Only 45% of the Union citizens (and less than 40% of women) would like to be self- employed as compared to 55% of the population in the United States and 71% in China. Demonstration and catalytic effects, for example European Awards and conferences, as well as coherence and consistency enhancing measures such as benchmarking and exchanges of best practices provide a high European added value.
Amendment 58 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 18
Recital 18
(18) As outlined in the Commission Communication of 30 June 2010, entitled ‘Europe, the world's No 1 tourist destination – a new political framework for tourism in Europe’, which was endorsed by the European Council Conclusions of October 2010, tourism is an important sector of the Union economy. Enterprises in this sector contribute substantially contribute to the Union's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and to job creation and have significant potential for the development of entrepreneurial activity, since it is run mainly by SMEs. The Lisbon Treaty acknowledges the importance of tourism, outlining the Union's specific competences in this field which complement the actions of Member States. There is clear added value for the tourism initiative at Union level, especially in providing data and analysis, in developing transnational promotion strategies and in exchanging best practicesInitiatives in the tourism sector should be supported by the Programme where there is clear added value at Union level.
Amendment 65 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 19
Recital 19
(19) The Programme should indicate actions for the objectives, the total financial envelope for pursuing those objectives, different types of implementing measures, and the transparent arrangements for monitoring and evaluation and for protection of the Union's financial interests.
Amendment 66 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 20
Recital 20
(20) The Programme should complement other Union programmes, while acknowledging that each instrument should work according to its own specific procedures. Thus, the same eligible costs should not receive double funding. With the aim to achieve added value and substantial impact of Union funding, close synergies should be developed between the Programme, and other Union programmes, such as Horizon 2020, and the Structural Funds.
Amendment 67 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) strengthening the competitiveness and sustainability of the Union's enterprises including in the tourism sectorand in particular SMEs;
Amendment 70 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point c
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point c
(c) changesreduction in administrative burden on SMEs,
Amendment 71 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point e
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point e
(e) and SME turnover ratestart ups, growth and reduction in number of failures.
Amendment 72 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) To improve framework conditions for the competitiveness and sustainability of Union enterprises including in the tourism sector particular SMEs;
Amendment 76 #
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, world class clusters and business networks, framework conditions and development of sustainable products, services and processes;
Amendment 77 #
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 measure, measures and reducing administrative burdens for SMEs.
Amendment 85 #
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. The Commission shall support a business environment favourable to enterprise start up, development and, growth and second chances.
Amendment 86 #
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.
Amendment 88 #
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 phases,and transfer phases, without imposing additional administrative burdens and 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 91 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 2
Article 9 – paragraph 2
2. The Commission mayshall support actions to improve SMEs access to the Single Market including information provision and, awareness-raising and digitisation of the Single Market.
Amendment 95 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1
Article 10 – paragraph 1
1. In order to implement the Programme, the Commission shall adopt an annual work programme in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 16(2). The annual work programmes shall set out the objectives pursued based on prior consultations, the expected results, the method of implementation and their total amount. They shall also contain a description of the actions to be financed, an indication of the amount allocated to each action and an indicative implementation timetable, as well as appropriate indicators for monitoring effectiveness in delivering outcomes and achievements of the objectives. They shall include for grants the priorities, the essential evaluation criteria and the maximum rate of co- financing.
Amendment 96 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 1 – point c
Article 11 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) impact assessments of Union measures of particular relevance for the competitiveness of enterprises, in particular SMEs, with a view to identifying areas of existing legislation that need to be simplified, or areas in which new legislative measures need to be proposed;
Amendment 98 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 1 – point d
Article 11 – paragraph 1 – point d
(d) the evaluation of legislation affecting enterprises, and in particular SMEs, specific industrial policy and competitiveness-related measures.
Amendment 101 #
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 growth- oriented SMESMEs in their start-up, growth and transfer phases. The financial instruments shall include an equity facility and a loan guarantee facility.
Amendment 103 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 2
Article 14 – paragraph 2
2. The financial instruments for growth- oriented SMEs may, where appropriate, be combined with other financial instruments established by Member States and their managing authorities in accordance with [Article 33(1)(a) of Regulation (EU) No XXX/201X [New Regulation on Structural Funds]], and grants funded from the Union, including under this Regulation.
Amendment 105 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – general objective 1 – title
Annex I – general objective 1 – title
1. To strengthen the competitiveness and sustainability of the Union's enterprises including in the tourism sector
Amendment 106 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – general objective 1 – impact indicator 2
Annex I – general objective 1 – impact indicator 2
Amendment 107 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – specific objective 1 – title
Annex I – specific objective 1 – title
To improve framework conditions for the competitiveness and sustainability of EU enterprises including in the tourism sector