Britain's SMEs leading Europe

At the Prime Ministers summit in Lisbon for European Heads of State, one of the decisions resolved was to "create a European Charter for small and medium-sized businesses".

It is recognised throughout the EU that the British SME Sector is not only the largest, but continues to grow at a pace unequalled by its partners.

Therefore we have to set the pace by providing a UK Charter for Business which can be the model throughout the member States. Not forgetting those neighbouring countries of course, including those in the former Communist bloc, who are awaiting to join us in "Economic Union".

Plans have been in hand (through the Genesis Initiative) for over a year to stage a conference this autumn involving the major UK representative organisations in the SME sector which can make an active and constructive input in creating the charter.

The all-day conference organised by the Genesis Initiative will be on Tuesday October 17th 2000, at the Lakeside Country Club in Frimley Green, Surrey. It will be opened by the Genesis Initiative's Founder Patron, HRH Prince Michael of Kent. He is a tremendous exponent of SMEs and has traveled the world in support of trade initiatives.

In addition to the SME organisations there will be representatives from Government, the Westminster All-Party Back Bench Committee, academics and SME support and advice organisations such as the SBS, Business Links, TECs and Enterprise agencies.

Individual SMEs will be able to attend and/or contribute their views through the Genesis web site, which will be operational in the summer.

The ethos of the structured programme for the day will be to allow the maximum participation from those present and conclude on the five key issues affecting SMEs. A team of collators headed up by senior officials from the Association of Certified Chartered Accountants will publish by early November a "white paper", for the SME charter which will be formally presented to the government.

We believe that in taking this lead we will be able to set the foundations for policies applicable throughout Europe. The long-term aim is to sustain and grow existing SMEs and to create the environment for new business to be started and developed.

Detailed information on this, the most important conference for SMEs in 2000, can be requested from Jackie Russell Lowe.

John May, FCA, is Director of Policy and Research for the Small Business Bureau and Policy Co-ordinator of the Genesis Initiative.