Article 1 
A programme for Community policy for enterprise and entrepreneurship, in particular for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), hereinafter referred to as ‘this programme’, is hereby adopted for a period of five years from 1 January 2001.
Article 2 
1. This programme shall have the following objectives: (a) to enhance the growth and competitiveness of business in a knowledge-based internationalised economy; (b) to promote entrepreneurship; (c) to simplify and improve the administrative and regulatory framework for business so that research, innovation and business creation in particular can flourish; (d) to improve the financial environment for business, especially SMEs; (e) to give business easier access to Community support services, programmes and networks and to improve the coordination of these facilities. 2. These objectives shall be implemented mainly via the areas of action described in Annex I. 3. Furthermore, by its very nature, this programme shall be used as a means of progressing towards the objectives set by the European Charter for Small Enterprises.
Article 3 
1. The Commission shall be assisted by the Enterprise Programme Management Committee, (hereinafter referred to as the ‘Committee’). 2. Where reference is made to this paragraph, Articles 4 and 7 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply. The period laid down in Article 4(3) of Decision 1999/468/EC shall be set at three months. 3. The Committee shall adopt its Rules of Procedure.
Article 4 
1. The measures and actions necessary for implementing this programme relating to the matters referred to below shall be adopted in accordance with the management procedure referred to in Article 3(2): — the annual working programme and the corresponding budget allocations; — the criteria and content of invitations to tender exceeding EUR 100 000; — the performance indicators for evaluating the actions needed to achieve the objectives set out in Article 2. 2. The Committee shall, moreover, be kept regularly informed of any other question concerning this programme, in particular of the annual implementation report and the evaluation reports mentioned in Article 5(1).
Article 5 
1. The Commission shall submit to the European Parliament and to the Council an annual report on the implementation of the financial instruments of this programme for 2004 as well as a similar end report for 2005 (the final year). 2. These reports shall examine whether the objectives of this programme have been achieved. They shall undertake a cost-benefit analysis of the measures and actions implemented, particularly on the basis of the performance indicators referred to in the third indent of Article 4(1).
Article 6 
This programme shall be open to the participation of: — the EFTA/EEA countries in accordance with the conditions established in the EEA agreement; — the associated central and eastern European countries (CEEC) in accordance with the conditions established in the Europe Agreements, in the additional protocols thereto and in the decisions of the respective Association Councils; — rkey, funded by additional appropriations, in accordance with the provisions of the Treaty; — other countries, when agreements and procedures so allow.
Article 7 
1. The financial reference amount for the implementation of this programme shall be EUR 538 500 000 . 2. The annual appropriations shall be authorised by the budgetary authority within the limits of the financial perspective.
Article 8 
This Decision shall take effect on 1 January 2001 and shall cover the period to 31 December 2006 .
Article 9 
This Decision is addressed to the Member States.