CONCEPT:

The "sleeping giant", as European Council President Schüssel calls SMEs, is at the centre of the Austrian Presidency program because SMEs play a critical role in the development and ultimate success of Europe's growth and jobs strategy.
Furthermore, the World of Micro-Enterprises: let them start, grow, innovate and employ!" is the SME UNION's theme topic for 2006 which further exemplifies the role of SMEs in accelerating innovation.

Many EU policies are presently focused on SMEs, therefore the SME UNION together with the SME Day partners have organized a forum to help drive further dialogue on the action plan being developed by the SME UNION that will raise awareness on key issues encountered by SMEs across Europe. It's a unique event in Brussels that will provide a 360 view of how European SMEs are accelerating and driving small business innovation for growth and jobs.

This forum will provide an opportunity for SMEs to engage directly with European policy leaders to help explain the challenges currently facing them, as well as explore ideas on how to accelerate and strengthen innovation to build a stronger knowledge-based economy.

Deb Leary, CEO of Forensic Pathways, UK inventor of the year, will moderate the SME UNION Forum which will be a vibrant discussion with key business leaders (small and large) and government leaders from across Europe.

The dialogue will focus on the current policy environment for SMEs and what policymakers and regulators could do accelerate SME growth and innovation across Europe.

To help focus the dialogue, several key questions and scenario's will be discussed, such as:

• How SMEs are using technology to increase productivity
• How SMEs are contributing to innovation in Europe
• How to attract and channel financing and investments for SME innovation

PROGRAMME: