WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3379/98 by Luis CAMPOY ZUECO to the Commission. Aids to SMUs
Date: 1998-11-09
Institutions: CAMPOY ZUECO, European Parliament
Subjects: EU aid, Mediterranean region (EU), Structural Funds, administrative transparency, aid to undertakings, dissemination of EU information, family business, financial aid, size of business, small and medium-sized enterprises

29.4.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 118/187

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan on behalf of the Commission

(24 November 1998)

The Honourable Member is requested to refer to the Commission(cid:146)s contribution to the debate on the
Multilateral Agreement on Investment (MAI) during the October II part-session (1)of the Parliament.

(1) Debates of Parliament (October II 1998).

(1999/C 118/242)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-3379/98

by Luis Campoy Zueco (PPE) to the Commission

(9 November 1998)

Subject: Aids to SMUs

In view of the existing definition of SMUs used in Spain (i.e. undertakings employing between 50 and 500
persons), can the Commission state what forms of financial aid exist for micro-undertakings or small
family-type businesses, given that such businesses are both extremely numerous and crucial to the social,
cultural and economic equilibrium of the countries of southern Europe?

Answer given by Mr Papoutsis on behalf of the Commission

(4 December 1998)

The Commission shares the Honourable Member(cid:146)s opinion about the importance of small and medium-
sized family enterprises for the social, cultural and economic equilibrium of the Community, particularly
in the countries of southern Europe, where the density of SMEs is higher in relation to the population.

In applying the European definition of SMEs as set out in Commission Recommendation 96/280/EC of
3 April 1996 (1), the vast majority of family businesses fall into the category of very small enterprises with
1-9 employees, which account for 93 % of all enterprises. When the categories of small and medium-sized
enterprises employing between 50 and 249 persons are then added, SMEs account for 99,8 % of all
enterprises.

In full adherence to the principle of subsidiarity, Community aid for family SMEs supplements the
national instruments for financing enterprises. In order to increase transparency regarding the aid
available, the Commission published a guide to grants and loans from the European Union in 1997 (2).

Following a request from the Parliament, in 1998 the Commission also launched its (cid:145)growth and
employment(cid:146) initiative, which accords top priority to small enterprises. In its Decision of 19 May
1998, the Council earmarked ECU 420 million to help expanding SMEs gain better access to funding by
means of risk-capital funds, guarantee facilities, and supporting the creation of transnational joint ventures
by SMEs within the Community.

Given that the vast majority of SMEs in southern Europe are located in assisted regions and in view of
their contribution to growth and employment, the Commission pays them particular attention by setting
aside a greater proportion of the structural funds for their funding requirements.

(1) OJ L 107, 30.4.1996.
(2)

ISBN › 92-8282854 › 9.