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