WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2959/97 by Anita POLLACK to the Commission. Ethnic minority businesses
Date: 1997-09-17
Institutions: European Parliament, POLLACK
Subjects: aid to undertakings, business start-up, craft business, distribution business, ethnic group, integration of migrants, job access, less-favoured region, small and medium-sized enterprises, urban area













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91997E2959

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2959/97 by Anita POLLACK to the Commission. Ethnic minority businesses  


Official Journal C 117 , 16/04/1998 P. 0115 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-2959/97 by Anita Pollack (PSE) to the Commission (17 September 1997)Subject: Ethnic minority businessesAre there any EU networks set up to support or to share information and ideas for ethnic minority businesses so as to help them develop and flourish? If not, does the Commission have any plans to set up such a network?Answer by Mr Papoutsis on behalf of the Commission (7 November 1997)The Commission is aware of the problems facing ethnic minorities seeking to create and develop businesses. The Third Multiannual Programme for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises ((OJ L 6, 10. 1.1997. )) provides for support for businesses run by persons from disadvantaged groups by promoting the search for innovative solutions to their specific problems.Although Member States have private national or regional bodies whose remit is to monitor the sector, collect information and assist entrepreneurs, their geographical coverage is limited. As far as the Commission is aware, these bodies do not come under any umbrella organisations.Every Member State also has public or semi-public bodies whose object is to assist businesses in general. The problems facing ethnic minorities could provide these bodies with a major area of investigation, especially with a view to promoting promoting racial integration and revitalising the commercial sector in disadvantaged urban areas.It is worth remembering that local commerce has been selected as one of the Local Employment and Development Initiatives (ILDEs) in view of its capacity for creating jobs and its potential for developing disadvantaged areas where ethnic minorities account for a large share of the population. Accordingly, the objective of the Commission's 'Commerce 2000' initiative is to identify the most relevant actions and disseminate them among local, national and Community decision-makers responsible for planning the Structural Funds.It is against this background that a survey of local commerce in disadvantaged areas in the 15 Member States is currently under way. The call for proposals ((OJ S 192, 3.10.1997. )) should make it possible to identify themes for various working parties to examine. The commercial activities of ethnic minorities could be a particularly interesting theme, perhaps leading to the creation of a network for the exchange of good practices.On 15 April 1997, the Commission published a call for proposals (OJ C 117) relating to assistance for craft enterprises and small enterprises. Its objectives include access to information and services through the development of computer applications.Proposals designed to meet this objective must envisage the creation of a computer server providing information, services and advice for the heads of craft and small enterprises, via computer networks. The server must be readily accessible by both craftsmen and the heads of businesses.Within the framework of the various objectives, the emphasis is on actions benefiting women, young people and disadvantaged groups, all of whom are playing an increasingly important part in the creation of new small and micro-enterprises.