Better regulation for SMEs is key for growth of the EU

On 29 October, the Lithuanian Presidency of the Council of the European Union organized a Panel Discussion on Smart Regulation for SMEs, attended by Brussels-based European business organizations, representatives of companies, EU institutions and diplomats.  The event focused on impact of regulation on medium-sized enterprises in Europe and possible ways to reduce regulatory burden.
 
In his opening remarks Deputy Permanent Representative of Lithuania to the EU Ambassador Arūnas Vinčiūnas noted that as a rotating Presidency Lithuania has placed special attention on smart regulation and SMEs in its Presidency Programme.

‘Smart regulation for SMEs is an important priority for the European Union as efficient and fit for purpose legislation in that area is a prerequisite for economic growth and for strengthening the competitiveness of Europe. Regulation has a direct impact on businesses, on performance of the companies. Our task during Lithuania’s Presidency – to make at least a small step forward to make life easier for the creative and hard-working business people’, – said Ambassador Vinčiūnas.

According to the Ambassador, ‘Smart regulation’ should not sound like just a political slogan. ‘Smart regulation’ contains a number of important instruments to be fully employed and still has undisclosed potential to make EU and national legislation less burdensome for enterprises and effective at the same time.

Among the speakers of the event were Jonathon Stoodley, Head of Evaluation and Simplification Unit at the Secretariat-General of the European Commission, Saulius Kolyta, Internal Market Attaché of the Lithuanian Permanent Representation and Ben Butters, Director of EU Affairs of EUROCHAMBRES.