WRITTEN QUESTION P-1006/98

by Corrado Augias (PSE) to the Commission

(26 March 1998)

Subject: European Information Centres

The Commission's network of European Information Centres are a valuable means of information and advice for and practical cooperation with the business world, throughout the European Union but especially in Italy, which has a great many small and medium-sized enterprises.

These European Information Centres are also an extremely useful interface for real contact with the European public, especially in outlying areas.

In Italy, at least, the Commission is only able to grant a tenth of the applications to open European Information Centres.

1. Does the Commission agree that it would be useful to back up its network of European Information Centres with "outposts" in the provinces or communes which request them, with computer, fax or other information technology links between the Centres and their outposts in the field to expand the network of information and advice provided?

2. Does the Commission agree that it would be helpful to provide more information on the network of existing European Information Centres and on their record of activities?

Reply given by Mr Papoutsis on behalf of the Commission

(16 April 1998)

The third multiannual programme for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) (1997-2000) explicitly encouraged the creation of local partnerships to provide assistance to SMEs. In the document "strategic considerations regarding the European information centre network 1997-2000", the Commission identified intermediary organisations representing SMEs within "network heads". These organisations provide the impetus behind a national or transregional network made up of relays and develop direct, or more often indirect, contacts with enterprises.

The recent "call for tenders-for the partial renewal of the Euro info centres network and partnership with representative organisations", envisaged this new version of EICs, and many applications have been successful.

Regarding the second question asked by the Honourable Member, the Commission recalls that since the creation of the EIC network in 1987, a series of promotional theme campaigns and two "European Business Weeks" have been organised to increase the prominence of the EIC network at the heart of small and medium-sized enterprises. More than 360 events organised during the last awareness campaign promoted by the Euro info centres of the twelve Member States (including Italy) allowed 440 000 direct contacts to be made. Moreover, the 200+ advertisements printed in national and regional daily newspapers reached a possible 30 million readers. Finally, the Commission directly promotes the network using information technology (Europa web site, and the 100 or so web sites devoted to EICs), the "Euro-Info" newsletter, and events and specialised fairs for small and medium-sized enterprises in which the Commission participates. The Commission finally recalls that self-promotion at a local level is one of the tasks of Euro info centres. An activity report produced by EICs is contained in the report from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social Committee, and the Committee of the Regions (25 November 1997)(1).

(1) COM(97) 610 final.