Programme for the craft industry and small enterprises (SME)

In adopting the report by Mrs Karla PEIJS (PPE, NL), Parliament took the view that better coordination of Community instruments and programmes and of Member States' actions in favour of SMEs was essential. Parliament called inter alia: - for the VAT burden on SMEs to be alleviated in the long run and the administrative and regulatory burden facing SMEs to be simplified; - for a better recognition of the SME dimension to be ensured in the various Community policies and programmes; - on the Commission to report on the feasibility of a 'de minimis' clause in directives to avoid imposing unfair burdens on SMEs; - for financial aid to be given to SMEs which develop new technologies; - for concrete steps to be taken to ensure the participation of a specific body representing SMEs in the Social Dialogue; - on the Commission to strive to promote various forms of worker participation in SMEs. Finally, Parliament criticizes the Commission communication's shortcomings as regards actions concerning the financial environment of SMEs and calls for a genuine European capital market for fast-growing SMEs. �