Activities of Raffaele BALDASSARRE related to 2011/0394(COD)
Shadow opinions (1)
OPINION on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a Programme for the Competitiveness of Enterprises and small and medium-sized enterprises (2014 - 2020)
Amendments (20)
Amendment 44 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11
Recital 11
(11) The Programme should particularly address SMEs, as defined in Commission Recommendation 2003/361/EC of 6 May 2003 concerning the definition of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises. Particular attention should be paid to micro enterprises, and enterprises engaged in craft activities and social enterprises. Attention should also be paid to the specific characteristics and requirements ofof target groups, such as young entrepreneurs, new and potential entrepreneurs and female entrepreneurs, as well as specific target groups, such as migrants and entrepreneurs belonging to socially disadvantaged or vulnerable groups such as persons with disabilities. The Programme should also encourage senior citizens to become and remain entrepreneurs and promote business transfer, spin-offs and second chances for entrepreneurs.
Amendment 46 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 12
Recital 12
(12) Many of the Union's competitiveness problems involve SMEs' difficulties in getting access to finance because they struggle to demonstrate their credit- worthiness and have difficulties in gaining access to risk capital. This has a negative effect on the level and quality of the new enterprises created and on the growth of enterprises. The added value for the Union of the proposed financial instruments lies inter alia in strengthening the Single Market for venture capital and in developing a simplified and more transparent pan-European SME finance market. The Union's actions should be complementary to the Member States' use of financial instruments for SMEs. The entities entrusted with the implementation of the actions should ensure additionality and avoid double financing through EU resources.
Amendment 49 #
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 services by helping enterprises to improve their competitiveness and explore business opportunities in the Single Market and beyondin third countries. 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, also in foreign countries, 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. The Network has also successfully encouraged the participation of SMEs in EU funding programmes such as FP7.
Amendment 50 #
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 bytasked with identifying appropriate EU business support programmes and thus helping enterprises to improve their competitiveness and explore business opportunities in the Single Market and beyond. 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 51 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14 a (new)
Recital 14 a (new)
(14a) Activities in this area can create a level playing field for SMEs when planning to become active outside their home country. Such activities should, among others, include information on intellectual property rights and technical standards.
Amendment 57 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 17
Recital 17
(17) Global competition, demographic changes, resource constraints and emerging social trends generate challenges and opportunities for some sectors. For example, design-basedmany sectors facing global challenges and characterised by a high proportion of SMEs need to adapt to reap the benefits and harness. For example, design-based sectors need to adapt in order to benefit from the untapped potential of high demand for personalised, inclusive products. Design-based consumer goods represent an important economic sector in the Union and its enterprises contribute substantially to growth and jobs. As these challenges apply to all SMEs in the Union in these sectors, a concerted effort at Union level is necessary. in order to create additional growth.
Amendment 60 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 18
Recital 18
(18) As outlined in the Commission Communication of 30 June 2010, entitled ‘"Europe, the world's No 1 tourist destination – a new political framework for tourism in Europe’18", which was endorsed by the European Council Conclusions of October 2010, tourism is an important sector of the Union economy. Enterprises in this sector contribute substantially contribute towith 10% of the Union's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and job creation and have significant potential for the devewith 12 % of total emplopyment of entrepreneurial activity, since it is run mainly by SMEs. The Lisbon Treaty acknowledges the importance of tourism outlin, making it the third most important socio-economic activity ing the Union specific competences in this field which complement the actions of Member States. There is clear added value for the tourism initiative at Union level, especially in providing data and analysis, and have significant potential for the development of entrepreneurial activity, sin developing transnational promotion strategies and in exchanging best practicece it is run mainly by SMEs.
Amendment 61 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 18 a (new)
Recital 18 a (new)
(18a) The Lisbon Treaty acknowledges the importance of tourism, outlining the Union's specific competences in this field which complement the actions of Member States. This sector plays a key role in the economic development of the Union and in achieving the goals of the EU 2020 strategy. Therefore, tourism should figure in the general and specific objectives of the programme. There is clear added value for the tourism initiative at Union level, especially in improving the tourism knowledge base by providing data and analysis, in developing transnational promotion strategies and in exchanging best practices.
Amendment 63 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 18 c (new)
Recital 18 c (new)
(18c) The European Union is the world's No 1 tourist destination in terms of international arrivals, and this lead position should be reinforced by tackling the challenges created by, first, greater global competition and a market demand that is continually changing and second, by ensuring increased and more lasting sustainability.
Amendment 64 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 18 d (new)
Recital 18 d (new)
(18d) Tourism in Europe faces many challenges: the global economic crisis, competition from other destinations outside the EU and the diversity of tourist attractions on offer, the effects of climate change and seasonal fluctuations in tourist activity, demographic developments in Europe, the growing impact of information and communications technologies and many unforeseen events affecting the industry from time to time. Therefore, the European Union should ensure the conditions for tourism to become a leading sector.
Amendment 75 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 2 – point a
Article 6 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) measures to improve the design, implementation and evaluation of policies affecting the competitiveness and sustainability of enterprises, including disaster resilience, and to secure the sharing of best practices on the development of appropriate infrastructures, world class clusters and business networks, framework conditions and the promotion of development of sustainable products, services and processes;
Amendment 79 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 2 – point c a (new)
Article 6 – paragraph 2 – point c a (new)
(c a) Measures to promote the competitiveness and sustainability of SMEs in the tourism sector by encouraging the creation of a favourable environment for the development of undertakings in this sector and by promoting the cooperation between Member States.
Amendment 81 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 3
Article 6 – paragraph 3
3. The Commission mayshall support initiatives accelerating the emergence of competitive industries based on cross-sectoral activities in areas characterised by a high proportion of SMEs and with a high contribution to the Union's GDP. Such initiatives shall stimulate development of new markets and the supply of goods and services based on the most competitive business models, improved products and processes, flexible organisational structures or on modified value- chains. They shall include initiatives to enhance productivity, resource efficiency, sustainability and corporate social responsibilitysustainability, in particular resource and energy efficiency, and corporate social responsibility. The activities shall encourage the adoption of new business models as well as the commercial use of relevant ideas for new products and services.
Amendment 82 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 3 – a (new)
Article 6 – paragraph 3 – a (new)
3a.The Commission may also support sector-specific activities for these purposes, in areas characterised by a high proportion of SMEs and with a high contribution to the Union's GDP, such as the tourism and design-based consumer goods sectors.
Amendment 89 #
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 as a one -stop-shop for business support. The future activities of the Network should continue, build upon and enhance its current activities.
Amendment 92 #
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 on topics such as business opportunities.
Amendment 94 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 3
Article 9 – paragraph 3
3. Specific measures shall aim to facilitate SMEs access to markets outside the Union, and to strengthening existing support services in those markets. SMEs mayshall receive support through the Programme, in particular by providing information on market entry obstacles and business opportunities and by improving support services as regards standards and intellectual property rights in priority third countries.
Amendment 99 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 3
Article 12 – paragraph 3
3. By 2018 at the latest, the Commission shall establish an evaluation report, which shall be published every three years, on the achievement of the objectives of all the actions supported under the Programme at the level of results and impacts, especially on job creation and economic growth; the efficiency of the use of resources and its European added value, in view of a decision on the renewal, modification or suspension of the measures. The evaluation report shall also address the scope for simplification, its internal and external coherence, the continued relevance of all objectives, as well as the contribution of the measures to the Union priorities of smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. It shall take into account evaluation results on the long-term impact of the predecessor measures;
Amendment 102 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 1
Article 14 – paragraph 1
1. Financial instruments under the Programme shall be operated with the aim of facilitating access to finance for growth- oriented SMEsand international market-oriented SMEs, promoting business clusters and networks and export consortia and recognising the role they play. The financial instruments shall include an equity facility and a loan guarantee facility.
Amendment 104 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 2
Article 14 – paragraph 2
2. The financial instruments for growth- and international market-oriented SMEs may, where appropriate, be combined with other financial instruments and specific support programmes established by Member States and their managing authorities in accordance with [Article 33(1)(a) of Regulation (EU) No XXX/201X [New Regulation on Structural Funds]], and grants funded from the Union, including under this Regulation.