Benchmarking national and regional e-business policies for SMEs

Erkki Liikanen, Member of the Commission Enterprise and the Information Society

Brussels, 20 June 2002

European Commission

Benchmarking national and regional e-business policies for SMEs

• SMEs are vital to Lisbon objectives• SME Internet access up from 40% to 70% between 1999 and

2001• SMEs are reducing gap on larger enterprises

BUT...• SMEs still lagging behind• Still regional digital divide in EU• On-line trading is not yet widespread• Next challenge is e-Business, not just e-Commerce...

The state of play:

2/5

Benchmarking national and regional e-business policies for SMEs

• Use of ICT by SMEs is at high level across the EU (84% to 98%)

• Significant variations exist between countries in adoption of e-Business by SMEs, e.g.

Web access (54% - 90%)

Making e-commerce purchases (5% - 43%)

Making e-commerce sales (3% - 29%)

Source : Eurostat survey - e-Commerce and ICT usage by European enterprises,

2001

SME adoption of e-Business:

3/5

Benchmarking national and regional e-business policies for SMEs

• Better statistics and analysis still needed

• Continued co-operation and exchange of best practice between Member States and regions

• e-Europe 2005 Action Plan will lead to e-business Support Network

• The main responsibility of the Commission is to facilitate best use of resources rather than to directly support SMEs

Next priorities:

4/5

Benchmarking national and regional e-business policies for SMEs

• Many of the best initiatives are regional/local

• Intelligent use of EU Funds can make a difference

• SME support actions must be flexible to changing needs

• Not much need and scope for direct European support in favour of SMEs

Key lessons:

5/5