21 Amendments of Hermann WINKLER related to 2011/0394(COD)
Amendment 100 #
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, enterprises engaged in craft activities and social enterprises. Attention should also be paid to the specific characteristics and requirements of 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 second chances for entrepreneurs. The transfer and takeover of enterprises should also be encouraged.
Amendment 114 #
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 by 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. In spite of the visible success already achieved, enterprises still need to be informed of the activities of the EEN and to exploit its potential to the full, as inadequate advice is an obstacle to SMEs aiming at increased growth and competitiveness.
Amendment 122 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14
Recital 14
(14) The limited internationalisation of SMEs both within and outside Europe affects competitiveness. According to some estimates currently 25% of the SMEs in the Union export or have exported at some point over the last three years, of which only 13% export outside the Union on a regular basis and only 2 % have invested beyond their home country. In line with the Small Business Act, which called on the Union and the Member States to support and encourage SMEs to benefit from the growth of markets outside the Union, the EU supports a network of European Business Organisations in more than 20 markets abroad. It provides financial assistance to the EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation, business bodies in Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore as well as the European Business and Technology Centre in India, EU SME Centres in China and in Thailand and the China Intellectual Property Rights SME helpdesk. European added value is created by bundling national efforts in this domain, avoiding duplication, promoting cooperation and by offering services that would lack critical mass if provided at national level. Accordingly, as a first step an inventory should be taken of all existing advisory services before the European Commission becomes further involved. As a next step, SME associations should be consulted.
Amendment 128 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15
Recital 15
(15) To improve the competitiveness of European enterprises, notably SMEs, the Member States and the Commission need to create a favourable business environment. The interests of SMEs, particularly in terms of a reduction of the administrative burden, and the sectors in which they are most active need particular attention. IAmbitious initiatives at Union level are necessary in order to develop a level playing field for SMEs and to exchange information and knowledge on a European scale.
Amendment 160 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 20
Recital 20
(20) The Programme should complement other Union programmes, while acknowledging that each instrument should work according to its own specific procedures. Thus, the same eligible costs should not receive double funding. With the aim to achieve added value and substantial impact of Union funding, close synergies should be developed between the Programme, and other Union programmes, such as Horizon 2020 in particular, and the Structural Funds.
Amendment 169 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1
Article 1
A programme for Union actions to improve the competitiveness of microenterprises, with special emphasis on and small and medium- sized enterprises (SMEs) (hereinafter "‘the Programme"),’) is established for the period from 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2020.
Amendment 170 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. The Programme shall contribute to the following general objectives, paying particular attention to the specific needs of SMEs at European and global level:
Amendment 180 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) strengthening the competitiveness and sustainability of the Union’s enterpriseSMEs including in the tourism sector;
Amendment 225 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) To improve framework conditions for the competitiveness and sustainability of Union enterpriseSMEs including in the tourism sector;
Amendment 230 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a a (new)
aa. To improve access to advice.
Amendment 237 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) To promote entrepreneurship, including among specific target groups, with a focus on relief for enterprise transfers;
Amendment 272 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1
Article 6 – paragraph 1
1. The Commission shall support actions to improve and strengthen the competitiveness and sustainability of Union enterprises, particularly SMEs, so as to enhance the effectiveness, coherence and consistency of national policies promoting competitiveness, sustainability and the growth of enterprises in Europe.
Amendment 283 #
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 development of appropriate infrastructures, world class clusters and business networks, framework conditions such as, in particular, a reduction of the administrative burden and development of sustainable products, services and processes;
Amendment 295 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 2 – point c
Article 6 – paragraph 2 – point c
(c) support for SME policy development in close cooperation with SME associations as the voice of SMEs and cooperation between policy makers, particularly with a view to improving the ease-of-access to programmes and measures for SMEs.
Amendment 329 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2
Article 7 – paragraph 2
2. Particular attention shall be paid to young entrepreneurs, new and potential entrepreneurs and female entrepreneurs, as well as specific target groups and the transfer of undertakings.
Amendment 345 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1
Article 8 – paragraph 1
1. The Commission shall support actions which aim to improve access to finance for SMEs in their start-up and, growth and transfer phases, being complementary to the Member States' use of financial instruments for SMEs at national and regional level. In order to ensure complementarity, these actions will be closely coordinated with those undertaken in the framework of cohesion policy and at national level. Such actions shall aim to stimulate the supply of both equity and debt finance.
Amendment 360 #
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 maintainfurther expand its support for the Enterprise Europe Network without, however, creating unnecessary duplication.
Amendment 368 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 2
Article 9 – paragraph 2
2. The Commission maywill support actions to improve SMEs access to the Single Market including information provision and awareness-raising.
Amendment 370 #
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. In order to avoid duplication, the European Commission will firstly take stock of the existing advisory services in this field before new advisory facilities are developed. As a next step, SME organisations will be consulted in order to ascertain the needs of enterprises. SMEs may receive support through the Programme as regards standards and intellectual property rights in priority third countries.
Amendment 393 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 1 – point c
Article 11 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) impact assessments of Union measures of particular relevance for the competitiveness of enterprises, with a view to identifying areas of existing legislation that need to be simplified, or areas in which new legislative measures need to be proposed, to be achieved with an SME test following the ‘small comes first’ principle and which contains a thorough analysis of all facilitation possibilities for microenterprises;
Amendment 407 #
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 SMEs. The financial instruments shall include an equity facility and a loan guarantee facility. It should be possible to deploy the financial instruments at any stage in the life-cycle of an SME.