MEPs back cutting red tape for SMEs and improving access to funds, support Horizon 2020’s grand vision for innovation, and ponder ways to build EU retail markets.

New research horizons / Innovation and SMEs / Unifying the EU retail market

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/16393664/n001-130926-002-en.srt

Resounding support  for stimulus and innovation programmes

designed to lift Europe  out of economic crisis and keep it there.

Politicians speak a lot of the power  of small to medium-sized enterprises,

plus innovation and research,  to create jobs for the 21st century.

And on Thursday they approved plans  to boost prospects,

first with an SME programme  to cut running burdens

We failed for a long time and for the first  time the Parliament has established

a specific budget  for small and medium-sized companies,

and a dedicated programme,  much more flexible,

much more related to their business case,  closer to innovation.

And sticking with that topic,  only billions of euros bigger,

there was approval  for key elements of Horizon 2020,

Europe's seven-year, 70 billion-euro  science and innovation programme.

and operates a collaborative,  knowledge-based approach.

Moving towards a more open  knowledge system and environment

is certainly something that we need to do  if we want Europe to innovate faster.

And here the task for MEPs  is to help Europe's huge retail sector

unlock its full potential  for growth, jobs and competitiveness.

Retail is a pillar of the Single Market,

too many obstacles, distortions  and inequities still exist

for it to function as intended -  that's fairly and efficiently -

like unfair payments systems,  big actor dominance,

unfair trading practices  that hit small businesses.

In particular the value of the smaller shop,  of the independent retailer,

is still, especially in times of crisis,  fighting a big fight.

for the neighbourhood,  for the city or for the village.