A new strategy for the protection of small and medium sized enterprises is the task of the EU

Press release of Ernő Schaller-Baross

The European Parliament, in light of the challenges resulting from the epidemiological situation called on the European Commission last December to create new objectives for the protection of small and medium sized enterprises, because the Commission presented its last SME-strategy before the pandemic on the 10th of March 2020. Ernő Schaller-Baross, MEP of the Fidesz addressed the Commission in form of a written question, in which he called it to account for lagging behind in the measures protecting small and medium sized enterprises. “The Commission presented since the beginning of the pandemic no, specifically for the SME-sector suited initiative, despite being called upon to do so by the Parliament. We need measures from the EU for protecting the smaller enterprises” – underlined the MEP.     

In the 27 Member States of the European Union there are altogether 24 million small and medium sized enterprises. Before the outbreak of the pandemic they accounted with their activities for more than the half of the GDP of the EU, and employed about 100 million people. 

“It is of utmost importance that the Commission reduces the administrative burdens of SMEs, and creates a strategy which sets specific and binding goals for simplifying the functioning of the small and medium sized enterprises, and implements these goals according to a set timeframe.” – emphasized Ernő Schaller-Baross. The politician of Fidesz added: “The relief of the situation of small and medium sized enterprises in Europe must be set into the focus of the economic policies of the Union. A part of this is that before the Commission proposes any legislation it must conclude a corresponding impact assessment explicitly concerning the small and medium sized enterprises.   

According to the survey of the Eurochambres from the business year 2019 the administrative procedures propose a considerable challenge for nearly 80% of the SMEs. This means in the current epidemiological situation an especially huge burden. The excessive administrative and regulatory expectations could inhibit the functioning of SMEs, because they are not possessing the necessary resources for complying with all the complicated bureaucratic standards.

The MEP addressed in his written question also the “Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs” programme. “I am expecting the answer of the European Commission, if we can, like in the Erasmus+ programme, in this initiative aiming at young entrepreneurs expect appeals that support the digital preparedness and creative skills.” – said Ernő Schaller-Baross. “In the pandemic the support of young entrepreneurs is highly important in order to make them able to tackle the until now unknown challenges” – added the politician of Fidesz. 

Brussels, 15^th April, 2021

Further information:

Office of Ernő Schaller-Baross: +32-288- 38871

(Image source: forbes.com)