Commitment given by government
to put growth at top of the agenda.

Richard Bruton - Minister for JobsMinister for Jobs Richard Bruton said at the beginning of November that the Government will put growth and competitiveness "at the top of the agenda" when it takes over the EU presidency in 2013.  He said that the EU relies on small business to drive growth forward.

Speaking at an EU conference for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Dublin, Richard Bruton commented that small firms across Europe are vital to the future growth of the European Union.He said "Maintaining competitiveness and strengthening the SME sector, in particular, are frontline policy objectives not only in Ireland but right across the EU.

"Europe's economic success depends critically on the ability of our SMEs to achieve their full potential. We have some 23 million SMEs throughout the union – 99 per cent of all businesses."

They provide more than two-thirds of all jobs in the private sector, with 25 per cent of SMEs exporting goods and services.”

Bruton added:

"Europe can only prosper if SMEs are given the right opportunities to grow, develop and trade. The Union’s economic success depends critically on the ability of small businesses to achieve their full potential. We have some 23 million SMEs throughout the union – 99 per cent of all businesses."

He went on to say that the Government would look to push an agreement on the proposed EU's €2.5bn Competitiveness and SME Programme, which "will help facilitate access to finance for SMEs, and help them operate outside their home market and seek to access new markets".

Bruton also highlighted some other worries saying that the "present eurozone and financial crises are tearing away at the very fabric of the single market".

Bob Tallent

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