MEPs want action to tackle the illegal trade in pets in order to better protect animals and punish rule breakers. Many pets are traded illegally across the EU generating high profit at a low risk, often providing a profitable source of income for criminal networks. To clamp down on the illegal trade in pets, the […]
COSME: Training for SME-Friendly policies in Central Purchasing Bodies (CPBs)
The purpose of this call is to conclude a Framework Partnership Agreements (FPA) for the period 2020-2022 with organisations to which specific grant agreements might be awarded in order to implement training courses. Objectives The objective of the specific actions is to strengthen the capacity of personnel working for large public buyers (i.e. CPBs) to ensure SMEs’ […]
January 2020 euro area bank lending survey
Credit standards remained broadly unchanged for both loans to enterprises and housing loans Demand for loans to enterprises declined, while demand for housing loans increased further Euro area banks use TLTRO-III liquidity largely for granting loans Credit standards – i.e. banks’ internal guidelines or loan approval criteria – remained broadly unchanged for both loans to […]
EIB and BBVA provide €600m to support SMEs
EIB is providing BBVA with a €300m guarantee to expand its SME financing capacity Part of this guarantee – €150m- is being granted with Investment Plan for Europe support The European Investment Bank (EIB) and BBVA are joining forces to provide financing on favourable terms for Spanish SMEs and mid-caps. EU bank Vice-President Emma Navarro […]
The European Green Deal Investment Plan and Just Transition Mechanism
The European Union is committed to becoming the first climate-neutral bloc in the world by 2050. This requires significant investment from both the EU and the national public sector, as well as the private sector. The European Green Deal’s Investment Plan – the Sustainable Europe Investment Plan – presented today will mobilise public investment and […]
Less than half of EU travellers are aware of EU Passenger Rights
The European Commission today released the results of a Eurobarometer survey on passenger rights in the European Union (EU). According to the survey, 43% of EU citizens who have travelled by air, long-distance rail, coach, ship or ferry in the previous 12 months (‘travellers’) know that the EU has put in place rights for passengers. […]
Digitalisation – a key challenge for SMEs in the Mediterranean region
The benefits of digitalisation for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are multiple, allowing them to boost competitiveness, expand market access and improve customer relations. In an information report adopted at its December plenary session, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) considers it necessary to support the digital transformation of SMEs with measures adapted to […]
Capital Markets Union: Council adopts legislative reforms
The Council has adopted a set of legislative reforms which are part of progress towards the capital markets union. The texts concern: the creation of a new category of benchmarks contributing to sustainable finance; transparency obligations for sustainable investments; a new prudential framework for investment firms; a harmonised framework for covered bonds; rules promoting access […]
European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency
Access to the official webpage and the social networks The Agency implements the European Innovation Council and manages other EU programmes focusing on SME support, innovation and the single market. The Agency is responsible for developing and implementing the European Innovation Council and manages other EU programmes in the fields of SME support, […]