You are here

Upcoming event

Wed08Feb

BusinessEurope’s SME Roadshow. First stop Helsinki. Are we doing enough for European SMEs?

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of Europe’s long history of industrial capability. SMEs 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 Covid restrictions, disruptions in supply chains and high energy costs. In addition, SMEs continue to face various kinds of obstacles when operating on the European Single Market.

To address SME issues and find solutions together with stakeholders, BusinessEurope is organising the “SME Roadshow” in Helsinki, Finland on 8 February 2023 - the first in a series of events across the EU - together with its Finnish member federation, the Confederation of Finnish Industries - EK. In this context:

Join us, in Helsinki or online, for a discussion on how to ensure the best possible operating environment for our SMEs in the European Single Market.

Programme

Note: the timings below are based on CET (Brussels time). For CEST (Helsinki), add one hour.

08.00-08.30 Check-in and morning coffee
08.30-08.40

Opening and introductory remarks by:

  • Tuomas Pere, Vice President, Chair of Entrepreneurship Committee, Confederation of Finnish Industries EK
08.40-08.55

Virtual greeting by:

  • Thierry Breton, European Commissioner for Internal Market
08.55-09.10

Future of the EU in the global geoeconomic competition – impact on SMEs  - Keynote speech by:

  • Jyrki Katainen, Managing Director, SITRA
09.10-09.55

Scaling up businesses in the EU: challenges and opportunities, what's needed?

Panel discussion with:

  • MEP Martina Dlabajová, co-chair, SME Intergroup in the European Parliament
  • Petri Peltonen, Undersecretary of State, Ministry of Economic Affairs, SME Envoy of Finland
  • Annika Rönni-Sällinen, President, Service Union United PAM
  • Samuel Laurinkari, Head of Global Public Policy, Wolt
09.55-10.10 Break
10.10-10.55

Sustainability - finding a balance between economic growth and environmental, climate and social well-being

Panel discussion with:

  • Fabrice Le Saché, Chair, BusinessEurope’s Entrepreneurship & SME Committee; President and founder, Aera Group
  • Outi Slotboom, Director, European Commission Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs
  • Suvi Markko, CEO, Dermoshop Oy
  • Raija-Leena Ojanen, Legal Advisor, WWF Finland
10.55-11.00

Concluding remarks by:

  • Confederation of Finnish Industries EK
11.00-12.00 Buffet lunch
Last updated: 2 February 2023