Enterprise policy: the future operation of the information and cooperation networks

Parliament adopted the report by Mr Mark HENDRICK (PSE, UK) on the future operation of the information and cooperation networks in the framework enterprise policy. With a view to fostering enterprise to improve business and employment, Parliament proposed that the results of the information and cooperation service networks should be harmonized and improved. The report expressed the hope that: - the management of the European Information Centres (EICs) could be reviewed on a regular basis, so that their activities can be appraised in the different regions of Europe; - the information provided to EICs could be reviewed regularly, in order to ascertain the usefulness of the material to target enterprises, and that such centralized information could be made available to SMEs and be consulted by them at a single point (one-stop shopping); - the networks would be equipped to utilize the latest technologies; - the EICs would continue to work with the decentralized facilities (chambers of commerce, local enterprise agencies); - the networks would remain service-driven, rather than profit-driven. Finally, Parliament expressed its attachment to the development and increase in the number of networks serving countries outside the Union, and hoped in particular that the European Business Information Centre would be expanded. It believed that the decentralized facilities should remain in place so as to provide a link to the Commission for those operating on the ground. �