19 Amendments of Rodi KRATSA-TSAGAROPOULOU related to 2012/2134(INI)
Amendment 4 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Acknowledges that ensuring sufficient and timely access to finance for SMEs stimulates and reinforces economic growth, job creation and, labour productivity and social cohesion, which are vital for the prosperity of EU regions; in this regard, calls for special attention to be paid to SMEs in regions suffering from geographical handicaps, such as island regions and outermost regions;
Amendment 11 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital Α a (new)
Recital Α a (new)
Αa. whereas bank loans are the main source of financing for SMEs in the European Union,
Amendment 12 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital Α b (new)
Recital Α b (new)
Αb. whereas, according to ECB data, lending rates for SMEs vary greatly between Member States and there are imbalances in access to liquidity with high rejection rates as regards lending for business projects in some countries,
Amendment 13 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Recognises that cohesion policy, being the main tool of convergence and sustainable development of the EU, is one of the main sources of support for its SMEs and highlights its importance with a view to the recovery of the EU economy and its competitiveness and to the convergence of its regions;
Amendment 20 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas actions supporting SMEs and entrepreneurship are regulated by the 'Small Business Act' which Member States have committed themselves to implementing together with the European Commission,
Amendment 22 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Highlights the need to further stimulate simplification of administrative procedures at European, national and subnational levels and to endeavour to limit the regulatory complexity which is often an obstacle for the beneficiaries, especially for SMEs, when applying for EU funds or when using existing financial instruments.
Amendment 27 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Agrees with the Commission that Europe’s economic success and social cohesion largely depends on growth and employment based on SMEs;
Amendment 40 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Underlines the responsibility of banks to invest wisely in the economy and more specifically in SMEs; notes that, in some Member States, SMEs do not have problems in accessing credit; expresses its concern about the differences between Member States in the cost of borrowing for SMEs resulting in a serious lack of liquidity in the real economy of some countries and the distortion of the financial market; points out that reducing investments to a minimum can lead to a credit crunch;
Amendment 56 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Points out that the Commission’s Action Plan rightly places a lot of emphasis on venture capital as a possible mode of growth finance but that this kind of funding is adequate only for a small number of SMEs, given that, according to Commission data, in the EU only 2% of the financial needs of SMEs are met by venture capital compared to a figure of 14% in the U.S.;
Amendment 72 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Considers it necessary to support SMEs at local level in order to develop policies to promote entrepreneurship, improve the situation of SMEs throughout the course of their lifetime and to help them gain access to new markets; believes that recognition and the exchange of good practices are key elements of this policy;
Amendment 77 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Notes that entrepreneurs' lack of knowledge about basic finance limits the quality of business plans and thus also the success of a credit application; therefore calls on the Commission, Member States, the social partners and the Mechamber Statess of commerce to provide professional training support to potential entrepreneurs, while also ensuring equal opportunities for men and women;
Amendment 79 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Believes that female entrepreneurship is an untapped resource for the growth and competitiveness of the EU which should be fostered and strengthened and that all obstacles facing women in the labour market should be removed;
Amendment 85 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Believes that a course of entrepreneurship and an introduction to how the market and the financial system operate should be included in basic education systems; believes that a well- prepared business plan is the first step towards better access to finance and viability; calls on the Commission and the Member States to include financial education in their education programmes without any delay; supports in this connection the 'Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs' programme to promote an entrepreneurial culture and develop the single market and competitiveness;
Amendment 90 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Stresses that informing entrepreneurs and potential entrepreneurs on a regular basis about training initiatives, EU funding and programmes for SMEs is indispensable at national, regional and local level, and we need to take advantage of all the available opportunities and actions such as the European SME Week;
Amendment 93 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Points out that guidance for entrepreneurs who have gone bankrupt is indispensable, as is guidance for the prevention of bankruptcy, given that 15% of businesses that close do so due to bankruptcy; supports the simplification and shortening of bankruptcy procedures and encourages the idea of giving the entrepreneurs in question a second chance;
Amendment 94 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Believes that what is needed is a special strategy for start-ups and financial tools to implement innovative projects and develop the creativity of young entrepreneurs;
Amendment 108 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Calls on the Member States to reduce the administrative burden at the start-up and during the lifetime of the SME, given the differences between countries in this field that hinder the completion of the single market; underlines that it is important to reduce the number of days required to start up a new business; asks the Commission to study the best practices to be implemented in all Member States; calls on the Commission to assess the possibility of introducing a unique SME identification number, stored in a single European database for SMEs, including all financial data, allowing SMEs to apply more easily for EU and national programmes and funding;
Amendment 111 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Welcomes the Commission's new funding programmes, which take into account the specific characteristics of SMEs; calls on the Commission to further develop EU funding tailor-made for SMEs, their needs and dynamic in various innovative and competitive sectors; underlines that fragmentation of funding should be avoided and that funding can be effective only when it is able to cover a substantial part of what is needed by the SMEs in question;
Amendment 125 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Calls on the Commission to strengthen and optimise the risk-sharing instruments of the European Investment Bank and the SME funding programmes under the Structural Funds;