Press Release: European Charter for Small Enterprises: Improvements in the environment for small businesses as Member States learn from each other’s strengths

The fourth Implementation Report of the European Charter for Small Enterprises, adopted on 11 February 2004, shows that Member States have made progress in improving the small business environment in the three priority areas for 2003 of the European Charter for Small Enterprises: access to finance, innovation and technology transfer, and consulting small businesses. The report also shows that Member States are increasingly learning from each other through good practices identified in the Charter process. Nevertheless, improving the environment for small businesses is a continuous process. It remains crucial that Member States continue to take action in line with the Charter's recommendations. The Charter Implementation Report on the acceding and candidate countries shows clear improvements in support for start-ups.

http://ec.europa.eu/comm/enterprise/enterprise_policy/charter/charter2004_base.htm http://ec.europa.eu/comm/enterprise/enterprise_policy/charter/charter2004_base.htm

http://ec.europa.eu/comm/enterprise/enterprise_policy/charter/index.htm http://ec.europa.eu/comm/enterprise/enterprise_policy/charter/index.htm

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