SME Europe’s presence at the EPP Election Congress in Dublin including two Working Breakfasts on the topic E-Commerce
The EPP Election Congress, which was held in Dublin on 6th and 7th of March 2014, presented a great opportunity for SME Europe to establish an even higher presence on European level, expand its network even further and branch out to new political partners. We strongly believe that due to our efforts at the Congress – in addition to our previous ambitious endeavors – constitute a stepping stone in order for SME Europe to enhance the promotion of SMEs in Europe.
“Future of Post and E-Commerce”
Our first Working Breakfast “Future of Post and E-Commerce”, held on Thursday, 6th March 2014, brought together important stakeholders who actively discussed the future of E-commerce in Europe focusing on its impact on parcel services.
SME Europe Honorary President and member of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy, Dr. Paul Rübig MEP, did the honors of introducing and moderating the event. He particularly emphasized the importance of a well-organized relation between the two service industries, due to their interdependent position within the European market.
Dr. Herbert Götz, representative of International Post Corporation, summarized in his keynote speech the current situation on the market and suggested issues to be addressed in order to assure a growing market that response well to customers’ needs.
Another keynote has been given by Michel Barnier, European Commissioner for Internal Market and Services. The essentiality of reconciling SMEs with consumers and the promotion of such an “ecosystem” defined by stability was the main focus of his speech.
Finally, Róża Gräfin von Thun und Hohenstein MEP, Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection, foregrounded several challenges that still need attention during her impulse statement. According to Mrs. Thun issues concerning barriers, price differences and market complexity are of high significance in this regard.
The speeches were followed by a discussion and a Q&A session including all participants.
“E-Commerce as Growth Factor for SMEs”
A second Working Breakfast entitled “E-Commerce as Growth Factor for SMEs” has successfully been held on the following day, Friday, 7th March 2014. Nadezhda Neynsky MEP, SME Europe President and Co-founder and member of the Committee on Budgets, initiated and introduced the cornerstones of the discussion.
Subsequently SME Europe welcomed Dr. Paul Rübig, Honorary President of SME Europe and member of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy, to moderate the breakfast. Mr. Rübig did so by reminding the participants that Europe needs to follow technological developments in order to stabilize and enhance its market.
Sue Duke, Head of Public Policy Google, gave a valuable contribution to the discussion. Not only did she demonstrate Google’s efforts to assist SMEs and start-ups through the provision of free and user friendly online services but she also addressed the problem that “customers are online, but businesses aren’t”. Simultaneously she suggested possible solutions, in particular the raising of awareness to entrepreneurs that establishing an online presence is a very efficient yet uncomplicated and fast task, which will result in more company value, greater visibility and therefore more potential to succeed within the European market.
The discussion was followed by three impulse statements. Iuliu Winkler MEP, Vice-President of SME Europe and Member of the Committee on International Trade, was first to give his input emphasizing the general importance of E-commerce for the successful future of European SMEs.
His speech was followed by Eva Majewski, Chairman of European Democrat Students, who draw the participants’ attention to the importance of education – for young and more experienced entrepreneurs alike – and stating that “if you cannot get education, education must come to you”. She finalized her valuable input by advocating same regulations and financial requirements for all SMEs in Europe and call Europe to “be sold as one product”.
Salvador Sedó i Alabart MEP, Vice-President of SME Europe and member of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy, led the discussion to an end by emphasizing that the Future of SMEs lies online while calling for more transparency and better access to the market for both, consumers and SMEs.
The speeches were followed by a discussion and a Q&A session including all participants.
