Activities of Ioannis A. TSOUKALAS related to 2013/2176(INI)
Shadow opinions (1)
OPINION on how can the European Union contribute to creating a hospitable environment for enterprises, businesses and start-ups to create jobs?
Amendments (45)
Amendment 7 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph A a (new)
Paragraph A a (new)
Aa. Notes that the unemployment rate for young Europeans (15-24) has reached the unsustainable rate of 23% and is above 50% in those member states most severely hit by the crisis; this massive youth unemployment leads to a huge brain drain and significantly undermines our capacity for sustainable growth in the future.
Amendment 23 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph C a (new)
Paragraph C a (new)
Ca. Underlines the importance of research and innovation for enhancing the competitiveness, productivity, sustainability and job-creation potential of European SMEs and notes the significant focus that Horizon 2020 and the EIT place in creating and supporting high-growth innovative SMEs;
Amendment 25 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E b (new)
Recital E b (new)
Eb. whereas while we have the best educated generation of youth in Europe’s history, and member states have invested huge amounts of money in education and training, our youth are largely cut-off from the labour market and their skills remain unused as they compete for temporary and underpaid positions;
Amendment 27 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Recital E a (new)
Ea. whereas the unemployment rate for young Europeans (15-24) reaches the unsustainable rate of 23% and is above 50% in those member states most severely hit by the crisis; whereas this massive youth unemployment leads to a huge brain drain and significantly undermines our capacity for sustainable growth in the future;
Amendment 27 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph C b (new)
Paragraph C b (new)
Cb. Asks for a better coordination of EU funding mechanisms, including Structural Funds, ERDF, Horizon 2020 and EIB investments, especially when it comes to funding innovative SMEs, and asks for an assessment of current obstacles that lead to banks in several member states failing to transfer funds and loan guarantees to SMEs and the real economy.
Amendment 28 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E c (new)
Recital E c (new)
Ec. whereas the EU is threatened by the prospect of ‘jobless growth’ which will further undermine the social and economic fabric of our societies as well as the long-term prospects of the EU competing on an equal footing within a globalized knowledge-based economy;
Amendment 33 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph D
Paragraph D
D. Believes that public policy measures play an important role in supporting and stimulating the provision of different support services for SMEs (e.g. business incubators and accelerators, technology transfer offices, coaching, mentoring etc.); considers that networking and the exchange of best practice play an important role in this respect;
Amendment 38 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph E
Paragraph E
E. Notes that many Member States lack regulatory support for young and innovative companies and start-ups and stresses the need to reduce fragmentation of the different European, national, regional and local policies and instruments concerning SMEs;
Amendment 43 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph F
Paragraph F
F. Calls on the Member States to continue taking policy measures which shape culture and educational systems, through the creation of partnerships between universities and companies, in order to fill the current gap between academia and the market; Believes that Member States must be more responsive to labour market needs, notably by fostering work-based learning and apprenticeships, as well as re-training of employees and provision of life-long learning opportunities; Calls on the Commission and the Member States to create viable transition schemes from higher education and vocational training to the labour market, especially for first- time young professionals;
Amendment 46 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Takes the view that the steady development and deepening of the EU internal market is creating many substantial new opportunities for businesses of all sizes, clearly necessitating flexible framework provisions to promote entrepreneurship and self-employment, while the smooth functioning thereof requires a set of minimum regulatory standards, particularly in respect of public health and safety, health and safety at the workplace, food safety and environmental protection;
Amendment 51 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph F a (new)
Paragraph F a (new)
Fa. Underlines the need to promote Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education and skills in the EU as a necessary means for matching the increasing demands of businesses in the coming years and developing the innovators and entrepreneurs of tomorrow; Underlines the need to address the declining rate of women participating in STEM subjects and to further expand the EU's talent pool;
Amendment 53 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Stresses that, while excellence, innovation and human resources are what constitute the comparative advantages of the Union, dwindling investment in research, education and training, coupled with the particularly high unemployment rates in individual Member States and in the euro area, are driving many Europeans to seek employment on other labour markets; stresses that the brain drain is a major obstacle to growth, greater Union competitiveness and measures to promote entrepreneurship;
Amendment 53 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph F b (new)
Paragraph F b (new)
Fb. Underlines the importance of providing entrepreneurial education and attitudes to young Europeans; in this context, notes the landmark role that the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) plays in promoting an entrepreneurial culture through education, training and practice. Notes that all Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs) of the EIT actively promote entrepreneurship in their respective fields through the development of curricula that combine excellent science and innovation with entrepreneurial skills and experiences, thus preparing the entrepreneurs of tomorrow and infusing existing businesses with an innovative and entrepreneurial mindset;
Amendment 54 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph F c (new)
Paragraph F c (new)
Fc. Believes in the importance of promoting senior entrepreneurship as a means of engaging the senior population with significant business experience in the innovation process, thereby extending working lives and retaining indispensable skills in the labour market;
Amendment 56 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Is concerned that Europe’s education and training systems are not adapted to businesses’ skills needs; notes with concern that in 2015 the estimated shortage of qualified ICT personnel in the EU will rise to between 384 000 and 700 000 and that the supply of STEM skills (science, technology, engineering and mathematics skills) will not match the increasing demands of businesses in the coming years, while the declining rate of women participating in those subjects has not been properly addressed;
Amendment 56 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph G
Paragraph G
G. Supports those EU-level initiatives which are helping SMEs access more financial resources, on the grounds that they make it easier for young and innovative companies to access funding; Notes the importance of innovative, non- banking schemes of financing, such as crowd-funding, peer-to-peer lending, micro-lending and other tools, which can provide vital access to capital for start-ups and SMEs to grow and create jobs;
Amendment 63 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Calls on the Member States to encourage the development of cooperation between enterprises, public education institutions and universities, so as to ensure that specialist areas of study and educational and training curricula in the context of lifelong learning are compatible and in line with the needs of the market, and promote traineeship and apprenticeship opportunities as part of the curricula, focusing on technical vocational training;
Amendment 64 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Calls for initiatives that will foster partnerships between businesses, research centres and universities, which will provide the necessary skills to Europeans to access ICT, energy-related and high- tech manufacturing jobs;
Amendment 64 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph G a (new)
Paragraph G a (new)
Ga. Underlines the need for simplification and harmonisation of rules and the provision of financial and tax incentives for enabling angel-, seed-, and venture capital investors to engage in cross-border funding of innovative business and start- ups and for establishing a European venture capital area; Underlines the significance of lowering taxes on capital gains from research-driven innovative SMEs investments;
Amendment 72 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Notes that the ‘risk’ factor regarding self-employment revealed in the course of the crisis is a deterrent to engaging in such entrepreneurial activities; recommends accordingly that consideration be given to adoption of measures by the Member States to strengthen the welfare safety net for the self-employed without detracting from the flexibility of this particular type of activity, so as to make it a more attractive and a safer option;
Amendment 75 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Welcomes the Commission’s efforts to inform citizens and businesses about the funding opportunities in the European level, as for example the editions ‘Overview of the financial rules’ and ‘funding opportunities 2007-2013’ and encourages it to continue and expand similar initiatives;
Amendment 76 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph H
Paragraph H
H. Emphasises the fact that, in addition to its role as a platform for social communication, the internet's role as a platform by which all citizens can launch a service or innovative product targeted at any other citizen, thereby creating jobs and SMEs, is a core principle of the Digital Single Market. Notes the importance that the digital economy has for creating jobs, especially when linked to sectors that Europe is traditionally strong, like the creative industries, cultural heritage and tourism.
Amendment 77 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 b (new)
Paragraph 8 b (new)
8b. Underlines the need for connecting experienced mentors to aspiring young entrepreneurs and facilitating the creation of support structures for innovative startups, such as incubators and accelerators;
Amendment 80 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Believes that the Commission and the Member States should promote schemes that would enable easier access for first time professionals to the labour market, especially by lowering the complexity and cost of becoming self-employed, including lowering indirect labour costs. In this spirit encourages the establishment of a European definition of the ‘auto- entrepreneur’ for activities related to the European digital economy;
Amendment 81 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 b (new)
Paragraph 9 b (new)
9b. Underlines the importance of providing entrepreneurial education and attitudes to young Europeans; In this context welcomes the strengthening of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) which has a clear focus on providing entrepreneurial and innovative skills to 10.000 Masters and 10.000 PhD students by 2020;
Amendment 81 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph H a (new)
Paragraph H a (new)
Ha. Stresses the opportunities that ICT technologies play in enhancing productivity and competitiveness; Underlines the need to unleash the potential of the digital single market and reminds that the cost of creating an innovative ICT start-up has fallen by a factor of 100 in the last 10 years ago, mainly due to technologies like ultra-fast and ubiquitous broadband, cloud computing, open source software, open data and access to public sector information;
Amendment 85 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph H b (new)
Paragraph H b (new)
Hb. Believes that the Commission and the Member States should promote schemes that would enable easier access for first time professionals to the labour market, especially by lowering the complexity and cost of becoming self-employed, including lowering indirect labour costs. In this spirit encourages the establishment of a European definition of the "auto- entrepreneur" for activities related to the European digital economy;
Amendment 89 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph H c (new)
Paragraph H c (new)
Hc. Highlights that eGovernment is particularly beneficial for entrepreneurs, particularly for SMEs, who often face insurmountable barriers when operating cross-border within the EU, as it brings reduced administrative costs and burdens, increased productivity, efficiency, competitiveness, transparency, openness, policy effectiveness, accessibility and streamlining of procedures;
Amendment 98 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Believes Member States should be encouraged to promote the retention of older workers on the labour market by encouraging the extension of working lives and retention of indispensable skills in the labour market, developing flexible labour markets and valuing experience;
Amendment 110 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Stresses the opportunities that ICT technologies play in enhancing productivity and competitiveness; Underlines the need to unleash the potential of the digital single market and reminds that the cost of creating a typical ICT start-up has fallen by a factor of 100 in the last 10 years ago, mainly due to technologies like ultra-fast and ubiquitous broadband, cloud computing, open source software, open data and access to public sector information;
Amendment 111 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Stresses that the introduction of suitable and flexible single market framework provisions to promote entrepreneurship and support small and medium-sized undertakings forming the economic backbone of the Union must not, under any circumstances, be achieved to the detriment of minimum European labour standards and fundamental labour rights;
Amendment 114 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 b (new)
Paragraph 12 b (new)
12b. Notes the importance that the digital economy has for creating jobs, especially when linked to sectors that Europe is traditionally strong, like the creative industries, cultural heritage and tourism;
Amendment 118 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Believes there are real benefits in new forms of financing through innovative schemes and non-bank routes, such as crowd-funding, peer-to-peer lending, micro-lending and other tools, which can provide vital investment for start-ups to grow and create jobs;
Amendment 132 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Underlines the importance of streamlining and simplifying the framework that will enable angel-, seed-, and venture capital investors to engage in cross-border funding of innovative business and start-ups; Underlines the significance of lowering taxes on capital gains from research-driven innovative SMEs investments;
Amendment 134 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 b (new)
Paragraph 14 b (new)
14b. Asks for a better coordination of EU funding mechanisms, including Structural Funds, ERDF, Horizon 2020 and EIB investments, especially when it comes to funding innovative SMEs, and asks for an assessment of current obstacles that in several member states banks fail to transfer funds and loan guarantees to SMEs and the real economy;
Amendment 135 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 c (new)
Paragraph 14 c (new)
14c. Underlines the importance of research and innovation for enhancing the competitiveness, productivity, sustainability and job-creation potential of European SMEs and notes the significant focus that Horizon 2020 and the EIT place in creating and supporting high-growth innovative SMEs;
Amendment 145 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Strongly believes that businesses can only create jobs if the right conditions exist, including access to a qualified and highly-skilled workforce, availability of flexible contractual arrangements, and keeping administrative burdens to a minimum;
Amendment 155 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Believes Member States must be more responsive to labour market needs, notably by fostering work-based learning and apprenticeships, as well as re-training of employees and provision of life-long learning opportunities;
Amendment 156 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Considers that there is major scope for increasing the involvement of the social partners and the bodies concerned in the formulation of a long-term strategy for small and medium-sized enterprises, this being the only way of identifying malfunctions, formulating intelligent and flexible legislation, avoiding market fragmentation and promoting the creation and development of sustainable and quality employment;
Amendment 157 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to create viable transition schemes from higher education and vocational training to the labour market, especially for first-time young professionals;
Amendment 162 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17a. Welcomes European legislation setting out framework provisions regarding late payment in commercial transactions and calls on the Member States to ensure that they are properly implemented and that remedial action is taken, the crisis having shown that late payment, particularly for public contracts, is one of the problems further increasing the vulnerability of small and medium- sized enterprises;
Amendment 164 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Underlines the ‘think small first’ principle; recognises the benefits of cross- border e- commerce in providing new opportunities for SMEs to access the single market, reduce costs and compete globally;
Amendment 180 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Underlines the importance that pre- commercial procurement can play in accelerating innovation from ‘lab to market’ and supporting research-focused SMEs that provide innovative products and services;
Amendment 184 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Believes that Member States must be encouraged to share best practice on innovative ways to reduce bureaucracy and red tape, and unlock access to capital, particularly for SMEs and micro- enterprises;
Amendment 246 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 a (new)
Paragraph 30 a (new)
30a. Calls on the Commission to draft EU texts that are easily understandable and accessible to citizens and businesses, especially when it comes to comprehensive guidelines on how aspiring entrepreneurs can use European financial and business tools;