Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2005-06-08-Speech-3-322"
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"en.20050608.22.3-322"2
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"Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, I should like to thank Mrs Vlasto for this report. It is one of some importance for me, as I myself ran a business in the small and medium-sized enterprise sector for many years. The experience I gained in this field means that I can take a practical approach to European competitiveness and the SME sector.
It is my belief that the European economy is in urgent need of genuine competition and of developing a better understanding of economic issues amongst the citizens of Europe. The first of these tasks was enshrined in the Lisbon strategy among the EU’s key objectives, one of the aims of which was to eliminate economic differences between the old and the new Member States. Businesses from the new Member States, and in particular the SME sectors in these countries, which are both flexible and capable of adapting to changing conditions, offer significant potential for economic development in Europe. A number of conditions have to be met before this potential can be tapped, however. These include doing away with existing obstacles to the internal market, of which there are currently around 90, the creation of an environment that is more conducive to SME start-ups and the linking of wages to labour productivity and efficiency.
I believe that employment levels will rise if we create a climate that is conducive to the development of the SME sector, and if we simplify regulations and adopt new ones. Liberalisation of the market in services will serve as a further catalyst for economic development in Europe, and also represents a source of new jobs. Furthermore, I believe that public understanding of economic issues must be improved. People will only stop fearing change and see that change is necessary for improved quality of life if they can understand the economic mechanisms that impact on their lives.
Developing a knowledge-based economy is the only means of enhancing the competitiveness of the European economy. This means investment in research, development and business-based innovation, as SME development will only be achieved on the back of such investment. There is therefore a need for education and training systems that reflect the needs of the labour market, and for the idea of life-long learning to gain public acceptance.
This report may well be a key factor in the development of the European economy and genuine free competition. I will therefore vote in favour of it, and I would suggest that the SME sector be acknowledged as the driving force behind the economy."@en1
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