30. 3. 89 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 79/5 
II 
(Preparatory Acts) 
COMMISSION 
Proposal for a Council Decision relating to the improvement of the business environment and 
the promotion of the development of enterprises, in particular of small and medium-sized 
enterprises, (SMEs), in the Community 
COM(89) 102 final 
(Submitted by the Commission on 1 March 1989) 
(89/C 79/06) 
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, 
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European 
Economic Community, and in particular Article 235 
thereof, 
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, 
Having regard to the opinion of the European 
Parliament, 
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and 
Social Committee, 
Whereas on 3 November 1986 the Council adopted a 
Resolution concerning the action programme for SMEs 
and, on 30 June 1988, a Resolution on the improvement 
of the business environment and action to promote the 
development of enterprises, especially small and medium-
sized enterprises, in the Community; 
Whereas the Commission has submitted to the Council a 
communication on an enterprise policy for the 
Community and the Community has already developed 
certain initiatives in the field; 
Whereas the development of a Community enterprise 
policy based upon the principle of effective competition 
is of great importance in increasing the competitiveness 
of the economy, for employment growth and for 
economic and social cohesion in the Community; 
Whereas it is necessary to strengthen this enterprise 
policy in the light of the completion of the internal 
market and the other reforms resulting from the Single 
European Act; 
Whereas the Treaty has not provided the necessary 
specific powers, HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: 
Article 1 
In order to improve the business environment and the 
development of enterprises, in particular of small and 
medium-sized enterprises, measures shall be implemented 
at Community level. 
Article 2 
The measures referred to in Article 1 shall include: 
— removal of undue administrative, financial and legal 
constraints which hold back the development and 
creation of small and medium-sized enterprises; 
— information and assistance to enterprises and in 
particular small and medium-sized enterprises on 
national and Community policies, regulations and 
activities which concern or are likely to concern 
them; 
— encouragement of cooperation and partnership 
between enterprises, in particular small and medium-
sized enterprises, from different regions of the 
Community. 
Article 3 
In order to achieve the objectives mentioned in Articles 1 
and 2 above, the Commission will propose the necessary 
action to the extent that it cannot be undertaken better 
at Member State level or taken into account better in the 
framework of other Community policies. 
Article 4 
Each year the Commission shall submit an evaluation 
report on the implementation of this Decision to the 
European Parliament and to the Council. 
Article 5 
The amount necessary for the implementation of this 
Decision will be established annually in the budgetary 
procedure. 
For the period from 1990 to 1993 the amount necessary 
is estimated at ECU 135 million.