23 Amendments of Amalia SARTORI related to 2011/0394(COD)
Amendment 82 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6
Recital 6
(6) In order to contribute to the reinforcement of sustainable competitiveness and sustainability of Union enterprises, in particular SMEs, the advancement of the knowledge society, and development based on balanced economic growtho support existing SMEs, to encourage an entrepreneurial culture and to promote the creation and growth of SMEs, a Programme for the Competitiveness of Enterprises and SMEs (hereinafter ‘the Programme’) should be established.
Amendment 103 #
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,and craft enterprises engaged in craft activities and social enterprisesin any sector 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 116 #
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 services by helping enterprises to improve their competitiveness and explore business opportunities in the Single Market and beyondin third countries. 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 in foreign countries, 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. The Network has also successfully encouraged the participation of SMEs in EU funding programmes such as Seventh Framework Programme (FP7).
Amendment 124 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14 a (new)
Recital 14 a (new)
(14a) Activities in this area can create a level playing field for SMEs when planning to become active outside their home country. Such activities should among others include information on intellectual property rights and technical standards.
Amendment 134 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15 a (new)
Recital 15 a (new)
(15a) The Programme should also support SME policy development and cooperation between policy makers, SME representative organisations, regional authorities and financial intermediaries, also by funding meetings, reports and databases. Such activities should focus on facilitating SMEs' access to programmes and reducing overall regulatory burden, in particular administrative burdens. An ambitious business centred approach should be applied to ensure that reducing regulatory burden, including administrative burden, targets the practical needs identified by business, in particular SMEs.
Amendment 137 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15 b (new)
Recital 15 b (new)
(15b) The views of relevant stakeholders including SME representative organisations should be taken into account in the development of SME policy and new activities. For this, existing structures such as the SME envoy network should be used to the greatest extent possible in order to avoid duplication and the creation of additional layers of bureaucracy.
Amendment 140 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 17
Recital 17
(17) Global competition, demographic changes, resource constraints and emerging social trends generate challenges and opportunities for some sectors. For example, design-basedmany sectors facing global challenges and characterised by a high proportion of SMEs need to adapt to reap the benefits and harness. For example, design-based sectors need to adapt to benefit from the untapped potential of high demand for personalised, inclusive products. Design-based consumer goods represent an important economic sector in the Union and its enterprises contribute substantially to growth and jobs. As these challenges apply to all SMEs in the Union in these sectors, a concerted effort at Union level is necessary in order to create additional growth.
Amendment 143 #
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 substantially contribute towith 10% of the Union's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and job creation and have significant potential for the deve12% of total emplopyment of entrepreneurial activity, since it is run mainly by SMEs. The Lisbon Treaty acknowledges the importance of tourism outlin, making it the third most substantial socio-economic activity ing the Union 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 analysisEU, and have significant potential for the development of entrepreneurial activity, sin developing transnational promotion strategies and in exchanging best practicece it is run mainly by SMEs.
Amendment 153 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 18 a (new)
Recital 18 a (new)
Amendment 155 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 18 b (new)
Recital 18 b (new)
(18b) The European Union is the world's No 1 tourist destination in terms of international arrivals and this lead position must be reinforced by tackling the challenges created by, firstly, greater global competition and a market demand that is continually changing and secondly, the need to ensure increased and more lasting sustainability.
Amendment 157 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 18 c (new)
Recital 18 c (new)
(18c) Tourism in Europe faces many challenges: the global economic crisis, the competition from other destinations outside the EU and the diversity of tourist attractions on offer, the effects of climate change and seasonal fluctuations in tourist activity, demographic developments in Europe, the growing impact of information and communications technologies and many unforeseen events affecting the industry from time to time. Therefore, the European Union should ensure a leading position of the tourism sector.
Amendment 158 #
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 arrangements for monitoring and evaluation and for protection of the Union's financial interests. Particular attention should be paid on financial instruments monitoring. A new set of performance indicators should allow flexibility on the implementation of such financial instruments.
Amendment 165 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1
Article 1
A programme for Union actions to improve the competitiveness of enterprises, with special emphasis on self-employed, micro, small and medium- sized enterprises (SMEs) and liberal professions (hereinafter ‘the Programme’), is established for the period from 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2020.
Amendment 187 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b a (new)
(ba) the implementation of the principles of the SBA and the application of its priorities in EU policies and programmes.
Amendment 256 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. The actions under the specific objectives shall contribute to the implementation of the Small Business Act: a) To improve access to markets by promoting the adaptation of European standard and regulations to the needs and realities of micro and small enterprises; b) To improve access to advice and promote support for SMEs, with special emphasis on micro and small enterprises; c) To facilitate transfer of business. d) to support the role and activities of SME intermediary organisations"
Amendment 300 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 2 – point c a (new)
Article 6 – paragraph 2 – point c a (new)
(ca) Measures to promote the competitiveness and sustainability of SMEs in the tourism sector by encouraging the creation of a favourable environment for the development of undertakings in this sector and by promoting the cooperation between Member States.
Amendment 313 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 3
Article 6 – paragraph 3
3. The Commission mayshall 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. Such initiatives shall stimulate development of new markets and the supply of goods and services based on the most competitive business models, improved products and processes, changed organisational structures or on modified value- chains. They shall include initiatives to enhance productivity, resource efficiency, sustainability and corporate social responsibilitysustainability, in particular resource and energy efficiency, and corporate social responsibility. The activities shall encourage the up-take of new business models as well as the commercial use of relevant ideas for new products and services.
Amendment 316 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 3 a (new)
Article 6 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. The Commission may also support sector-specific activities for these purposes, in areas characterised by a high proportion of SMEs and with a high contribution to the Union's GDP, such as the tourism and design-based consumer goods sectors.
Amendment 357 #
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. The future activities of the Network should continue, build upon and enhance its current activities. The Network shall provide integrated business support services to European SMEs that seek to explore opportunities in the Single Market and in third countries.
Amendment 362 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 9 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Amendment 373 #
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 mayshall receive support through the Programme as regardin particular by providing information on market access barriers and business opportunities and by improving support services in areas such as standards and intellectual property rights in priority third countries.
Amendment 405 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 5
Article 12 – paragraph 5
5. A set of key performance indicators shall be developed in cooperation with experts and relevant stakeholders, including SME representative organisations, regional authorities and financial intermediaries, as a basis for assessing the extent to which the objectives of the actions supported under the Programme have been achieved. They shall be measured against pre-defined baselines reflecting the situation before implementation of the actions.
Amendment 406 #
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 SMEs, also focusing on their start-up and transfer phases. The financial instruments shall include an equity facility and a loan guarantee facility. The allocation of funds to different facilities shall be based on market demand and take into account the opinions of SME representative organisations, regional authorities and financial intermediaries.