Competing in the Single Market - SMEs and ... - Erhvervsstyrelsen

Box 4: Overview of Selected Multinational Charters/Programmes for SMEsOECD Bologna CharterIn June 2000, the OECD organized the first international, ministerial-level conference onSMEs: Enhancing the Competitiveness of SMEs in the Global Economy: Strategies and Policies.The Bologna Conference highlighted best practices to improve the competitiveness of SMEsin the context of the globalised, knowledge-based economy. A key outcome of the conferencewas the adoption of the Bologna Charter on SME Policies by the governments of almost 50OECD member and non-member economies and the initiation of the Bologna Process, with thefollowing objectives:• To foster the entrepreneurial agenda and SME competitiveness at the global level through theimplementation of the Bologna Charter;• To provide guidance to governments to help entrepreneurs and SMEs worldwide meet thechallenges and reap the benefits of globalization; and• To further deepen and improve the high-level dialogue on SME policies among policy makers,the business community, and national and international organizations and institutions.A 2 nd OECD Ministerial Conference on SMEs will be held in Istanbul June 4-5, 2004.INSMEThe International Network for SMEs (INSME) is a non-profit association open to internationalmembership, whose mission is to stimulate transnational cooperation and public and privatepartnership in the field of innovation and technology transfer to SMEs. INSME’s role is to create alink between SMEs, Policy Makers and Intermediaries by acting as an information hub, a facilitatorfor alliances, a promoter of networking, and a catalyser for international cooperation and politicaldialogue. INSME is promoted by the Italian government within the Bologna Process.EU Lisbon Meeting and European Charter for SMEsThe Lisbon Council Meeting in March 2000 set the goal for the European Union to become themost competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world, capable of sustainableeconomic growth, more and better jobs, and greater social cohesion. The EU recognized SMEs’role as drivers for innovation, employment and social integration, and endorsed the EuropeanCharter for Small Enterprises in June 2000 in order to improve the situation of small businessin the EU by stimulating entrepreneurship, evaluating and adjusting existing measures, andensuring that policymakers take due consideration of small business needs.Maribor DeclarationIn the Candidate Countries, the CC Best report summarised good practice in promotingentrepreneurship and competitiveness. In February 2002, the Commission invited all 13 CandidateCountries to Maribor (Slovenia) to endorse the European Charter for SMEs. The MariborDeclaration was signed in April 2002, and is the Candidate Countries’ acknowledgement of theCharter as the basis for action to support and develop small enterprises, as well as their statement ofinterest in participating in the reporting process on the implementation of the Charter.Nordic Charter for SMEsIn 2002, the Nordic Council of Ministers (NCM) adopted a Charter for Small InnovativeCompanies, Entrepreneurs and Independent Investors. In the charter, the Nordic ministers fortrade and industry commit themselves to, among other things: strengthening innovation andinvestment in general in the Nordic countries; establishing an administrative and legislativeframework that will stimulate the development of innovative companies, entrepreneurs andinvestors; and facilitating access to advice, technology and research results.33