EU policies and support for SMEs Barbara Stacher, EU Delegation Russia

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EU policies and support for SMEsBarbara
Stacher, EU Delegation Russia
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SMEs in the EU

• Backbone of the European economy (innovation,
  competitiveness, job creation)
• 25mio. SMEs in EU represent 99 of all EU
  enterprises, employing more than 2/3 of total
  jobs in the private sector (i.e. more than 100
  mio. People)
• The most dynamic SMEs account for ca. 80 of new
  jobs created (especially in sectors of
  construction, hotelsrestaurants, distributive
  trades).

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SMEs in the EU

• The EU has taken specific policies and support
  measures to strenghten SMEs
• Lisbon-Strategy EU launched a modern SME policy
• EC Commission create SME-friendly regulatory
  environment (increase thresholds for state-aid
  rules, permit VAT-exemptions, simplification of
  red-tape) through online consultations
  http//ec.europa.eu/enterprise/admin-burdens-reduc
  tion

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SMEs in the EU

• The EU Commission also took measures to improve
• SMEs access to markets and to promote
  entrepreneurship (f.ex. creation of
  one-stop-shops)
• SMEs access to finance
• .Competitiveness and Innovation Framework
  Programme, .Targeted support through Structural
  Funds, Jeremie initiative and other
• . Other (communication, consultation,)

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EU Russia cooperation

• Fields of activity (economic cooperation)
• In the past accounting, banking, financial
  markets development, insurance sector
• Now customs procedures simplification,
  competition rules, standardisation, technical
  regulations, TBT, SPS, certification,
• Specific topics concerning SMEs (e-skills,
  microcredits, tourism,)
• Participation of SMEs in ST framework programme
  (through calls for proposals)

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EU Russia cooperation

• Project Support to Export Oriented Innovative
  SMEs (600.000 , Dec.05-Dec.08)
• Partnership EU-RU SME support organisations and
  develop business links
• Establish Export Support Centers (ESCs) and
  setting up Euro-Info Center (EICC)

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EU Russia cooperation EICC http//euroinfocent
er.ru

• at the Russian Agency for Small and Medium
  Business Support
• EICC Mission and Objectives
• provide information and advisory support and
  assistance to SMEs in Russia and in EU countries
  seeking to establish and develop mutually
  beneficial business cooperation.
• disseminate information about the EU, its goals
  and objectives, EU legislation, current policies
  and development strategy
• render assistance in the establishment of
  business links between Russian and European SMEs
  and promotion of Russian SMEs in the European
  market
• provide information concerning the EU and Russia
  market requirements and opportunities
• make available various business data in
  accordance with the enquiries from EU and Russian
  companies
• facilitate the access of Russian SMEs to relevant
  information regarding the enterprise support
  programmes and projects funded by the European
  Union

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EU Russia cooperation

• Export Helpdesk
• http//exporthelp.europa.eu
• Free of charge
• Interactive
• User-friendly

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Export Helpdeskhttp//exporthelp.europa.eu

• helps exporters find potential markets within the
  EU Trade statistic section
• Helps to take full advantage of the EUs
  preferential trade regimes import tariffs
  section
• Customs documents section, RoO
• Section on the specific requirements of the EU
  and the EU Member States applicable to the import
  of products originating from a third country
• Section on internal taxes applicable to products

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Export Helpdeskhttp//exporthelp.europa.eu

• helps exporters find trade partners and contacts
  in the EU (Market Place Section, Links Section)
• Possibility of lodging a detailed information
  request (Contacts Section)

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EH page requests 2006
Export Helpdeskhttp//exporthelp.europa.eu
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SMEs in Russia

• As in the EU, SMEs in Russia could
• also play a key role in improving the business
  environment in Russia
• contribute to diversifying the Russian economy
• help to meet the challenges of globalisation
• create jobs and sustainable long-term economic
  growth

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Useful Information

• EU Commission Delegation to Russia
• http//www.delrus.ec.europa.eu,
• Barbara Stacher, Tel [phone],
  barbara.stacher_at_ec.europa.eu
• Euro-Info Center Russia (EICC)
  http//euroinfocenter.ru
• Association of European Businesses (AEB)
  http//www.aebrus.ru
• Export Helpdesk for developing countries
• http//exporthelp.europa.eu
• European Commission Directorate General for Trade
  (DG Trade) http//ec.europa.eu/trade

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EU policies and support for SMEsEND OF
PRESENTATIONBarbara Stacher, EU Delegation Russia