25 Amendments of Reinhard BÜTIKOFER related to 2011/0394(COD)
Amendment 83 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6
Recital 6
(6) In order to contribute to the reinforcement of both competitiveness and sustainability of Union enterprises, in particular SMEs, the advancement of the knowledge society, and development based on balanced economic growth, a Programme for the Competitiveness of Enterprises and SMEs (hereinafter ‘the Programme’) should be established.
Amendment 85 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6 a (new)
Recital 6 a (new)
(6a) In order to be able to fulfil its objectives and support the implementation of the Small Business Act, at least 0.5% of the total budget of the Multiannual Financial Framework 2014-2020 should be allocated to the implementation of this programme.
Amendment 88 #
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 grow in a sustainable way. Improved resource and energy 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 89 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8 a (new)
Recital 8 a (new)
(8a) The Commission Communication "Towards a rich job recovery"1 estimated that policies promoting a transition to a green economy such as resource efficiency, energy efficiency, and climate change policies could generate more than 9 million jobs by 2020 and in particular in the SMEs sector; its survey underlines that job creation in eco-industries has been positive throughout the recession in comparison to many other sectors and is forecasted to continue to remain sound in future years; EU level initiatives enabling exploiting the employment potential of green growth, in particular within SMEs should be part of this Programme; _______________ 1 COM(2012)0173 final
Amendment 94 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
Recital 10
(10) The Programme should therefore address market failures affecting the competitiveness and sustainability of the Union economy on a global scale due principally to issues which undermine the capacity of enterprises to innovate and compete with their counterparts in other parts of the world.
Amendment 108 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 12 a (new)
Recital 12 a (new)
(12a) Surveys also show that not only access to finance but also access to skills, including managerial skills and knowledge are critical factors for SMEs to access the existing funds, to innovate, compete and grow. The delivery of financial instruments should therefore be accompanied by development of appropriate mentoring, coaching schemes and delivery of knowledge-based business services.
Amendment 109 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 12 b (new)
Recital 12 b (new)
(12b) Initiative should also be undertaken to assess how innovative financing initiatives such as crowdfunding could benefit new entrepreneurs and SMEs, if and how they should be promoted at EU level and evaluate whether there is a need for a legal framework for framing such practices;
Amendment 112 #
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. However, more needs to be done to improve its effectiveness, in particular with regard to the uptake from SMEs of the services proposed, while its unbalanced geographical spread is also an issue that needs to be tackled. 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.
Amendment 120 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14
Recital 14
(14) The limited internationalisation of SMEs both within and outside Europe affects competitiveness. According to some estimates currently 25% of the SMEs in the Union export or have exported at some point over the last three years, of which only 13% export outside the Union on a regular basis and only 2 % have invested beyond their home country. Eurobarometer survey of 2012 also show the untapped potential for EU SMEs' growth in Green markets, within and outside Europe, in terms of internationalisation and access to public procurement. In line with the Small Business Act, which called on the Union and the Member States to support and encourage SMEs to benefit from the growth of markets outside the Union, the EU supports a network of European Business Organisations in more than 20 markets abroad. It provides financial assistance to the EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation, business bodies in Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore as well as the European Business and Technology Centre in India, EU SME Centres in China and in Thailand and the China Intellectual Property Rights SME helpdesk. European added value is created by bundling national efforts in this domain, avoiding duplication, promoting cooperation and by offering services that would lack critical mass if provided at national level.
Amendment 127 #
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. The Commission should ensure the appropriate involvement of SME representative organisations and other players such as standardisation bodies, labour organisations and civil society organisations, in the development and implementation of the Union initiatives. 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.
Amendment 135 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15 a (new)
Recital 15 a (new)
(15a) Recognising that compliance costs may often be higher in the smaller enterprise, the improvement of the SMEs framework conditions and business environment should include activities assessing and tackling the reduction of disproportionate administrative burden for SMEs. The issue should be addressed as a process which involves consultation of a wide range of stakeholders and appropriate expert groups, in particular the High Level Group of Independent Stakeholders on Administrative Burdens, with the aim of promoting simplification and better regulation while ensuring high standards of social, environmental and consumer protection and a level playing field in the internal market.
Amendment 142 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 17 a (new)
Recital 17 a (new)
Amendment 162 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 25
Recital 25
(25) The Programme should be monitored and evaluated so as to allow for adjustments. A yearly report on its implementation should be made presenting progress achieved and planned activities; it should be presented to the European Parliament's competent committee.
Amendment 181 #
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 sector;
Amendment 301 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 2 – point c a (new)
Article 6 – paragraph 2 – point c a (new)
(ca) supporting SMEs in implementing legislation, assessing and improving their environmental and energy performance, upgrading their skills and qualifications, develop new sustainable business models and resource-efficient value chains.
Amendment 327 #
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 migrants, socially disadvantages or vulnerable groups such as people with disabilities.
Amendment 348 #
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, 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 Horizon 2020, of cohesion policy and at national and regional level. Such actions shall aim to stimulate the supply of both equityand uptake of seed funding, angel funding, equity, quasi-equity financing and debt financeing.
Amendment 351 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 8 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. As part of initiatives for improving access to finance, activities will ensure that access to financial instrument is accompanied by appropriate guidance on access mentoring opportunities, coaching schemes and delivery of knowledge-based business services that may be crucial for ensuring access to the funds.
Amendment 352 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 2 b (new)
Article 8 – paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. As part of actions in Paragraph 1, the Commission shall examine the possibility of supporting, developing or framing innovative financial instrument that can benefit SMEs, such as crowd funding, in consultation with relevant stakeholders including SMEs representative organisations.
Amendment 358 #
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. It shall, however, assess its effectiveness, governance and geographical distribution with a view to improving the uptake by SMEs of the proposed services, improving the involvement of relevant stakeholders in the network governance, as well as ensuring a more balanced geographical distribution.
Amendment 365 #
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. It shall also support enhanced participation of SME representative organisations in development of Single Market policy initiatives such as public procurement, standardisation processes and intellectual property regimes.
Amendment 385 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 10 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. The work programme shall be drafted in consultation with stakeholders organisations including SMEs representatives organisation but also other stakeholders such as standardisation bodies, labour organisation and environmental organisations.
Amendment 389 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 11 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) the identification of good practices and policy approaches, and their further development and dissemination;
Amendment 400 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 2
Article 11 – paragraph 2
2. These support measures referred to in paragraph 1 shall not necessarily form part of the annual work programmes referred to in Article 10.
Amendment 402 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 2
Article 12 – paragraph 2
2. The Commission shall draw up an annual monitoring report examining the efficiency and effectiveness of supported actions in terms of financial implementation, results and, where possible, impact. The report shall include information on the amount of climate- related expenditure and the impact of support to climate-change objectives to the extent that the collection of this information does not create unjustified administrative burden for SMEs. The annual report shall be presented to the European Parliament competent committee and made available to the public.