WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1702/98 by Carlos ROBLES PIQUER to the Commission. European Business Weeks
Date: 1998-05-29
Institutions: European Parliament, ROBLES PIQUER
Subjects: EU programme, European symbol, economic development, employment policy, exchange of information, information network, monetary union, public awareness campaign, single market, small and medium-sized enterprises

C 50/76

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

22.2.1999

(1999/C 50/112)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1702/98

by Carlos Robles Piquer (PPE) to the Commission

(29 May 1998)

Subject: European Business Weeks

The proposal for a Council decision on a third multiannual programme for small and medium-sized enterprises in
the European Union pays particular attention to the organization of European Business Weeks.

Such an initiative will doubtless help SMEs to place their strategies on a European and international footing, in
particular by improving information services.

Can the Commission indicate what results have been achieved by the European Business Weeks already held,
what means of promoting and encouraging the organization of such weeks can be made available to the
organizers and whether a standard framework has been created for the above business events?

Answer given by Mr Papoutsis on behalf of the Commission

(15 July 1998)

Two (cid:145)European Business Weeks(cid:146) have been organised so far: the first in March 1992 dealt with Community
instruments for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with a view to 1993 and the single market, and the
other in March 1993 was entitled (cid:145)Your SME, the dynamic force within the single market(cid:146).

Each of these weeks comprised almost 2 500 events (press conferences, video conferences, round-table
discussions, workshops, fairs, open days), which were held in 400, and then 600, different European towns.
The events were organised by members of the information and cooperation networks (Euro-Info Centres and BC-
NET Business Cooperation Network) and by the Business Cooperation Centres (BCC) set up by the Commission.

Around 60 000 heads of enterprises benefited from this direct contact and information during these two weeks,
which received extensive media coverage. In addition, they had a major knock-on effect, both in stimulating the
Commission networks and in involving national, regional and local authorities and all other bodies operating in
the business environment. The overall results of these two events have been sent directly to the Honourable
Member and the Secretariat-General of the Parliament.

Since then, the Euro-Info Centres have conducted promotional campaigns aimed at enterprises in general, and
SMEs in particular, on the topics of standardisation and certification, the euro, the information society, and
safety, hygiene and health at work.

The Commission is currently looking into the possibility of organising events related to the challenges of the next
millennium (transition to the year 2000) specifically for heads of enterprises. These events on key issues should
draw on past successes and involve all local partners engaged in business-development and job-creation
activities.

(1999/C 50/113)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1711/98

by Antoine-Fran(cid:231)ois Bernardini (PSE) to the Commission

Subject: Kaleidoscope Programme

(29 May 1998)

I have received a letter from the (cid:145)Compagnie Coline(cid:146) Association concerning an application for a subsidy under
the Kaleidoscope Programme.

The Commission justifies its refusal to grant a subsidy on the grounds that, if it granted the subsidy requested, it
would overrun its budget. However, after studying the relevant arrangements with the persons concerned, I have
come to the conclusion that the Commission is wrong.

Could it therefore supply more detailed information concerning this application (K98 › A1/F-431), together with
information on selection procedures?