Publié lundi 3 décembre 2007 à 09h45
par
Sortir de l'Impasse 
(vu 1312 fois et 2 commentaires)
There are currently 23 millions small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Europe, representing 99 percent of European companies and account for around two thirds of European jobs.
In the latest Eurobarometer report dedicated to SMEs published in May 2007 (16,339 SMEs interviewed in 27 country members), we are told that European SMEs believe that “competition in their markets has increased over the past two years. Six out of 10 managers stated that competition has recently intensified. The perception of increased competition is even more widespread among LSEs.”
According to this survey, 12 percent of the SMEs' turnover comes from their “new or significantly improved products.” France has one of the lowest rates with 7 percent only, whilst Slovenia equals 24 percent, Romania 21 percent, Germany 11 percent, and Italy 12 percent. Actually, one of the ways to resist this increasing competition is to invest in research and development in order to be able to launch new products.
The right wing parties often claim that labour costs are too high for the SMEs. This Eurobarometer pointed out that “labour costs” are regarded a constraint for only 33 percent of the SMEs. The three main constraints are linked to “purchasing power of customers” for 46 percent of the SMEs sample, “administrative regulation” for 36 percent, and “lack of skilled labour” for 35 percent.
Because the success of the SMEs is a key factor for the future of the European jobs market, we definitely need to design a strong SME programme and probably revisit some of the existing European policies for SMEs. Today one billion Euro is dedicated to financing SMEs (i.e. less than 1% of the European annual budget).
Chargement...
Commentaires
1. Taxing the personal effort par franciscopolo
le lundi 3 décembre 2007 à 13h23
It would be interesting to discuss about a tax cut on SMEs instead of financing them. It is well known that State aid comes always late so when you are creating a new SME you are not relying on that aid. The entrepeneurs rely on their own capabilities and financial sources. The real problem for these entrepeneurs comes when the company is already running. SMEs are the best example of personal effort and we, the socialistd, believe that personal effort has to be fostered while unproductive rentals have to be taxed. In consequence we sould start talking about reducing the taxes over these people who are sustaining the vast part of our economy by creating wealth and jobs. The double taxing that SMEs are suffering (they are paying as a company and as individuals due to the fact that the great part of them are composed only by 3 persons) is absolutely unfair.2. Harmonising tax rates par Sortir de l'Impasse
le mercredi 5 décembre 2007 à 22h28
We agree with FrancisCopolo when he said that "the real problem for these entrepreneurs comes when the company is already running". This is why we should help companies to start their 2nd year;. Regarding any tax cut for SMEs, maybe should we first see if we would agree on tax harmonisation in Europe T oday, there is in Europe a large dispersion in the existing corporate tax rates.Vous devez vous identifier afin de pouvoir Affichez vos commentaires . Pas encore inscrit? Inscrivez-vous ici! Mot de passe oublié?