The effectiveness of EU policies for SMEs / Sofia

The European Economic and Social Committee organised a hearing as part of its follow-up work related to its opinion on Improving the effectiveness of EU policies for SMEs, adopted in July 2017.

The event took place on 9 November 2017 from 9:30 to 13:00 in Sofia, Bulgaria. It was part of a set of follow-up hearings to be carried out in 6 EU Member States.
 
The main objective of the hearing was to debate the effectiveness and efficiency of EU policies for SMEs and gather valuable input and feedback from Bulgarian stakeholders on the matter with a view to finding ways in which they can be improved. Particular emphasis was put on the recommendations that have been outlined in the EESC opinion with the aim of implementing them at national level.
 
Issues such as access to finance, improving access to markets and internationalisation, promoting entrepreneurship, reducing the administrative burden, simplification, supporting SMEs' competitiveness and innovation were at the forefront. The stakeholders were also invited to express their views on the current definition of SMEs and on its potential need for revision.

For more information please contact the INT Section Secretariat