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CONFERENCE: “THE SMALL BUSINESS ACT FOR EUROPE: BUSINESS WITHOUT BARRIERS”
& EUROPEAN ENTERPRISE AWARDS CEREMONY 2009

The Small Business Act for Europe: business without barriers

European Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) deserve to be better assisted to fully unlock their potential of long term sustainable growth and of more job creation. To achieve this goal, the European Commission adopted the Small Business Act for Europe (SBA) in June 2008. The front line in promoting SMEs and entrepreneurship is at the regional and local level.

The 2009 European Enterprise Awards Ceremony – co-organised by the European Commission, the Czech Presidency and the Committee of the Regions – and the conference “The Small Business Act for Europe: business without barriers” will present a collection of inspiring practices and policies from across Europe to promote entrepreneurship and improve the environment within which small businesses operate.

The Conference

This international conference will focus on local and regional solutions to the key challenges facing SMEs, as identified in the Small Business Act for Europe. Key-note speakers will discuss how theSmall Business Act will play a crucial role in:

  • removing the barriers to business,
  • reducing the administrative burden for small businesses, and
  • ensuring that legislators “think small first” to design regulation better around SMEs’ requirements.

Workshops will present participants with local and regional case studies and examples of best practice, focusing on removing barriers to markets and removing barriers to entrepreneurship.

The conference is aimed primarily at local and regional public authorities, entrepreneurs and their business organisations, and experts from Member States’ national administrations. The opening session on 14th May 2009 will take the form of a joint session with the EUROCHAMBRES Annual Congress, and will be attended by representatives of Chambers of Commerce throughout Europe. The conference forms the closing event of the 1st European SME Week.

The European Enterprise Awards

The 3rd edition of the European Enterprise Awards showcases and rewards the most innovative initiatives to promote entrepreneurship and small business at national, regional and local level. Interactive workshops will be held with the shortlisted candidates in the following categories:

  • Entrepreneurship Promotion
  • Enterprise Development
  • Red Tape Reduction
  • Investment in Skills
  • Responsible and Inclusive Entrepreneurship

Exhibition stands will present these projects in more detail. The winners from among 47 nominees from 25 European countries will be announced during a gala dinner by European Commission Vice President G. Verheugen, Czech Minister of Industry and Trade M. Ríman, and a high level representative of the Committee of the Regions.

In addition to the 6 regular awards, a special award will be given for the Best Idea for Red Tape Reduction, sponsored by the High Level Group for the Reduction of Administrative Burden, and will be presented by Dr Edmund Stoiber, Chairman of the High Level Group.

The conference forms the closing event of the 1st European SME Week.

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