The ECR Group in the European Committee of the Regions today held an event on the future of European SMEs. Following ECR Group President Marco Marsilio's opening remarks, the panel saw the participation of various experts and stakeholders. The event was concluded by ECR member Oszkár Seszták, whose opinion on family-run and local SMEs will be voted during the February CoR plenary session. 

"The new working program of the European Commission will have to give answers first and foremost to the SMEs that are carrying the burden of bureaucracy and complex legislation. Given the uncertain and volatile geo-political context, SMEs should be supported throughout the new legislative phase with solutions that can boost their competitiveness and resilience", said President Marsilio.

SMEs count for over 99% of all enterprises and provide around two-thirds of all jobs in the EU. Despite this, European SMEs still face a high number of challenges, including high energy prices, high regulatory burden, supply chain constraints, labour and skill shortages, and a volatile global economic landscape, among others. 

"SMEs are often family-run businesses that face specific challenges related to the territories where they operate: it is therefore of the utmost importance that we support them in being more resilient and help them in being more competitive", said Mr Seszták.

Panelists shared their views on the role of SMEs, underlining that is crucial to enhance Europe's preparedness including in sectors such as security and defence, especially for those operating in the border regions. In line with the working program of the European Commission, panelists reaffirmed the need to step up efforts to cut red tape and to fully acknowledge the "think small first" principle as a genuine paradigm valid throughout the entire EU legislative cycle.

Speakers included Daniele Olivieri from BusinessEurope, Marie-Helene Pradines from DG Grow of the European Commission and Veronique Willems, Secretary General of SMEunited.