The EU should focus more on the potential of small and medium-sized businesses to innovate, according to an employers’ group.
The European small and medium-sized businesses organisation UEAPME says that the EU must do far more for small businesses, in terms of both policy-making and funding.
“Most of the innovation in Europe is actually made and implemented by small and medium-sized businesses, whose methods are characterised more by ongoing permanent innovation processes than by linear, research driven inventions,” the group said in a statement.
“The European Commission has recognised in its latest communications the need to expand the definition of innovation to focus on SMEs and take account of non-technical innovation in all economic sectors,” said Paul Reckinger, UEAPME president.
“This new approach must now be implemented in all policy areas to become of use for small businesses,” he continued.
The groups also calls for start-up businesses to be given better access to finance in order for them to realise their full potential.
A patent litigation insurance structure and reduced fees for small and medium-sized businesses is also suggested by the group.
“European small businesses would definitely benefit from a new, refined innovation policy both at EU and member state level,” added Reckinger.
UEAPME has 81 member organizations and represents more than 11 million small and medium-sized EU businesses at European level.
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