Internationalisation of SMEs Enterprise Europe Network Committee of the Regions Eurochambres Seminar on SME Internationalisation December 9th, 2015 Giacomo Mattinò, Head of Unit DG for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs Unit H2 Enterprise Europe Network and Internationalisation of SMEs GROW-Enterprise-Europe-Network@ec.europa.eu
I Internationalisation of SMEs Why should SMEs expand their business internationally? Being internationally active strongly relates to higher turnover growth. SMEs that are internationally active generally report higher employment growth than non-active SMEs. The relationship between internationalisation and innovation is strong.
Internationalisation of SMEs Why should SMEs also consider expanding their business beyond the borders of the EU? An estimated 90% of global growth originates outside the EU. Developing and emerging markets are expected to account for 60% of world GDP by 2030. Given increased market integration, SMEs can play an important role in global value chains.
Eurobarometer no. 421 (Oct. 2015)
Some prominent examples of EU actions for SME internationalisation Negotiating Free Trade Agreements Regulatory approximation Intellectual Property Rights: IPR SME Helpdesks in Europe, China, South-East Asia and Latin America Market access information via Databases and web portals: e.g. Your Europe Business, Market Access Database Entrepreneurial Mentoring: Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs
II Enterprise Europe Network The world's largest support network for SMEs, created in 2008 (CIP) and now under the EU's Competitiveness of Enterprises & SMEs Program (COSME) * Combines international business expertise with local knowledge. * Helps ambitious European businesses at their doorstep to innovate to increase their competitiveness to expand their business internationally inside Europe and in growth markets beyond the EU and now also delivers some innovation services under the Horizon 2020 Program.
Key Figures of the Network Present in more than 60 countries: 28 EU Member States 6 countries participating in the COSME programme 29 third countries (full list on: http://een.ec.europa.eu/) 600 partner organisations 4.500 professional advisers
Achievements of the Network 2008-2014 On a yearly average, the Network has, i.a.: Reached 2 500 000 European SMEs (this is more than 1 out of 10); Welcomed 230 000 participants at its local or regional events; Welcomed 22 600 clients at its brokerage events and company missions. Facilitated the conclusion of 2 500 Partnership Agreements between companies from different countries.
Organisational structure Host organisations Diversified entities: Chambers of commerce, Innovation or Enterprise Agencies, Regional development Agencies, Research institutes, Universities, Technology centres, innovation centres. Network partners Deliver as a consortium - the full range of Network services in a defined geographical region. Ensure proximity to local SMEs; Receive between 40% and 60% co-funding from the EU budget.
The Network is the European dimension of the business support in the region delivering specific services and contributing to the quality of business support in the region uniting the most important actors for SME support. DG REGIO and DG GROW are collaborate to integrate Network partners better in the strategic formulation for EU regional policy, starting with the macro-regional strategies.
The Network in third countries: Business Cooperation Centres (BCCs) BCCs do NOT receive funding from the EU - they participate on a win/win basis. Call for expressions of interest envisaged for the years 2015-2020: http://ec.europa.eu/easme/business-cooperation-centres_en.htm 1st cut-off dates: 31/10/2014 and 15/3/2015
Network services for SMEs (1/3) Consortia in the EU and in COSME countries provide the full range of Network services: International Partnership Services Business cooperation, technology transfer, innovation and research projects and related activities: matchmaking events, technology brokerage and company missions; Partnership Opportunities Database with 10 000 cooperation demands and offers. Information & Advisory Services EU policies, legislation and programs; Innovation support services, Intellectual Property Rights (IPR); Access to international markets; Access to finance; Horizon 2020 participation, SME Instrument; Resource efficiency. Feedback from SMEs concerning EU initiatives, EU legislation
Network services for SMEs (2/3) Consortia in 3 rd countries provide the following Network services: International Partnership Services Business cooperation, technology transfer, innovation and research projects; Plus related activities: matchmaking events, technology brokerage and company missions. Partnership Opportunities Database with 10 000 cooperation demands and offers. International Market Access information Market knowledge for European SMEs wishing to expand their business to the target country
Network services for SMEs (3/3) All Network services must have a European dimension and provide EU added value to the Network clients. All services must be offered free of charge to SMEs from the EU Member States and from the "COSME countries" and to all other Network partners.
We learned we changed (1/3) What is different in the new Network (2015 to 2021)? The Network's know how is now also available for other service providers (clusters, public authorities, other public or private SME support service providers, incubators), provided that it will benefit SMEs. The consortia are now better connected to other business support providers in their region. All Member States and the Network countries that contribute to the EU's Horizon 2020 budget, now also offer new innovation services to their client SMEs under this program.
We learned we changed (2/3) The Network partners are now encouraged to collaborate with the EU regional programmes: Dialogue with Operational Programmes Managing Authorities where appropriate (at Network partner or host organization level), with a view to enhancing Structural funds measures for SMEs Network partners in regions covered by macro-regional strategies should actively engage in the design and implementation of these strategies Cooperate with relevant national contact points dealing with EU policy matters (such as the single points of contact, NCPs, Europe Direct and Solvit.)
We learned we changed (3/3) The Network partners are now encouraged to collaborate with other EU SME support programmes in third countries: by informing their client SMEs in Europe about opportunities opened by these programmes (e.g. the "Gateway" project in several "third countries", the "ELAN" project in Latin America etc.); by collaborating with these projects e.g. when the latter need to organise matchmaking events in "third countries" where the Network is present.
Contact the Network Strategy and policy: European Commission, Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs GROW-Enterprise-Europe-Network@ec.europa.eu Operational management: Executive Agency for SMEs (EASME) https://ec.europa.eu/easme/en/contact Website: http://een.ec.europa.eu/
Thank you