BusinessEurope’s SME Roadshow. Third stop The Hague. How to turn Europe into an SME superpower
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the lifeline of Europe’s economy. They create jobs and wealth in Europe where most of their business is carried out. However, in the last years SMEs have gone through multiple challenges due to persistent labour shortages, higher energy prices, costlier credit and a deluge of new regulations, while the need to become more sustainable and innovative increases. SMEs fail to grow in Europe; a reversal is necessary.
To address SME issues and find solutions together with stakeholders, BusinessEurope is organising its third "SME Roadshow" in The Hague, The Netherlands, on 15 May 2024, together with the Confederation of Netherlands Industry and Employers (VNO-NCW) and in collaboration with MKB-Nederland.
This in-person event, followed by a lunch will gather key representatives from European and national institutions, SMEs and entrepreneurs from across Europe for a debate on the key issues the European institutions should put at the core in their next five-year mandate.
Programme
Note: the timings below are based on CET.
Moderated by: Mathijs Schiffers, EU correspondent, Het Financieele Dagblad; author of the book "Brexit, Brussel, Brabant" (March 2024)
| 09.00-09.30 | Check-in |
| 09.30-09.35 |
Welcoming message by:
|
| 09.35-10.00 |
The economic state of European SMEs
|
| 10.00-10.45 |
Regulatory burdens & SMEs: enough is enough Panel discussion with:
|
| 10.45-11.00 | Coffee break |
| 11.00-11.15 |
Reflection on the SME policy in the last five years Keynote address by:
|
| 11.15-12.15 |
How to turn Europe into an SME superpower Panel discussion with:
|
| 12.15-12.30 |
Concluding remarks by:
|