Antonio Tajani, Vice-President of the European Commission responsible for Industry and Entrepreneurship, has launched the Centre for European Union Small and Medium Enterprises (EU SME Centre) in Beijing on 5 November. Funded by the European Commission, this new venture will provide information, advice, training and matchmaking opportunities for European SMEs wishing to export to or invest in the Chinese market.
At the launch of the EU SME Centre Vice-President Tajani said: “The launch of the EU SME Centre in Beijing is an important step in the implementation of the Small Business Act, the EU’s main initiative in support of SMEs, and in the realisation of the ‘think small first’ principle that embodies European SME policy. Growth beyond domestic markets and the internationalisation of SMEs is crucial for European competitiveness, and the Commission has a significant role to play as a facilitator of this process.” The Small Business Act called for the establishment of European Business Centres in selected markets, notably in China and India.
At the moment 25% of European small and medium-sized businesses export, or have exported their goods or services at some point during the past 3 years. This percentage is expected to increase considerably, especially in fast growing markets such as China. However, SMEs are often less well-equipped than large enterprises for dealing for example with the different legal systems and risks present in foreign markets. Read More
