NEWS

Cyprus sees SMEs as key to growth

Cyprus, as current holder of the EU presidency, is putting SMEs at the centre of policy-making this year by hosting a special assembly.

It will take place in Nicosia on 15 – 16 November 2012 and bring together SMEs, business organisations, European, national and regional government, academia and the media to discuss how to help SMEs ‘go for growth’.

Launching the Assembly, Cypriot minister of commerce, industry and tourism, Neoklis Sylikiotis said: "SMEs now more than ever hold the key to boosting growth across Europe.

"The Assembly will provide a great opportunity to address some of the most critical issues facing small businesses and share ideas and policy initiatives that have succeeded in encouraging SME growth.

"Here in Cyprus, SMEs account for 99% of businesses, so Nicosia seems an appropriate setting for the first European SME Assembly."

The SME Assembly recognises the importance of the European Union’s commitment to SMEs and its success in rolling out the Small Business Act, the SME policy framework, at member state level.  

The assembly will culminate in the annual European Enterprise Promotion Awards ceremony, celebrating organisations that have helped to promote entrepreneurship at national, regional or local level over the past year. 

The assembly audience will address some of the most critical issues facing small businesses:

• Encouraging young and women entrepreneurs
• Access to finance
• Access to national, EU and international markets
• Opportunities in the green economy
• Growth in the current economic situation
• Better rules for business
• Realising SME potential

The conference will also hear from SMEs that are bucking the trend; how they have been helped to thrive by national, regional or local government support; and lessons that can be drawn to help others emulate their success.

The European Enterprise Promotion Awards – launched in 2006 – have been fundamental in laying the foundations for this Assembly through celebrating those organisations that help to promote entrepreneurship. The Assembly will culminate in the 2012 European Enterprise Promotion Awards ceremony.