EU Commission: Internal Market - 05/09/08

"Think Small First": A Small Business Act for Europe
Most jobs in the EU are provided for by Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs), companies of 250 employees or less. They have a crucial importance for the future development, but very often face enormous bureaucratic hurdles and obstacles. European 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 has unveiled today the Small Business Act for Europe (SBA), based on ten guiding principles and proposes policy actions to be undertaken by both the Commission and Member States. [Europa]

McCreevy announces major initiatives on accounting rules for small businesses
Charlie McCreevy, Commissioner for the Internal Market and Services has announced [as dated] a Member State option to exempt micro entities and a review of the Accounting Directives for small businesses. [Europa]

Preparation of the Competitiveness Council of Ministers, Brussels, 25/26 September 2008
The EU Competitiveness Council will meet in Brussels on Thursday 25 and Friday 26 September under the chairmanship of Luc Chatel, Secretary of State for consumption and industry European Affairs and Hervé Novelli, the French Minister of State for Trade, Craft Trades, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, Tourism and Services. On Friday 26 September, the Space Council, a joint meeting of the Competitiveness Council and the European Space Agency (ESA) Ministerial Council, will be chaired jointly by Valérie Pécresse and Maria Van Der Hoeven, the Dutch Minister for the Economy and President-in-office of the ESA Council. Valérie Pécresse, the French Minister for Higher Education and Research, will chair a meeting of the European research ministers on 26 September. The European Commission will be represented by, Vice President Gunter Verheugen, responsible for Enterprise and Industry, Commissioner Charlie McCreevy responsible for the Internal Market and Services, Commissioner Janez Potocnik for Science and Research. [Europa]