![](https://www.businesseurope.eu/sites/buseur/files/styles/buseur_article_fulll/public/media/pictures_photo_albums/2017-02-21_sme_event_26y6542.jpg?itok=9350vQNx)
Is the EU single market SME-friendly? What do SMEs actually need?
"To remain competitive SMEs need to have the best access to the single market. We should not increase the high administrative burdens and uncertainties. In the digital single market for instance, many SMEs will struggle to cope with the European Commission’s geo-blocking proposal. Therefore, the proposal needs to be improved. Traders should be able to rely on their own country rules when they sell across borders", Director General Markus J. Beyrer said during the conference ‘Is the EU single market SME-friendly? What do SMEs actually need?’ on 21 February in Brussels. BusinessEurope organised the event to discuss the challenges and opportunities SMEs face in the European single market, e.g. in the digitalisation process and when dealing with complex taxation issues. Other panellists included the Maltese Minister for Economy, Investment and Small Business, and President of the EU Competitiveness Council Christian Cardona, entrepreneur Marta Marti Carrera and Deputy Director General of DG Growth Irmfried Schwimann. Photos - Programme - Video