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Sustainable SME growth main theme at SME Assembly 2019

Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment
Publication date 21.11.2019 13.37 | Published in English on 22.11.2019 at 11.07
News item

More than 99% of companies in the EU are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The high percentage shows that SMEs play an integral role as creators of prosperity and growth across Europe. On 25–27 November, Helsinki will play host to SME Assembly 2019, the most significant event of the year for SMEs in Europe and the main event of the European SME week. The event is organised by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment and the European Commission.

The SME Assembly is an annual event hosted by the country holding the Presidency of the Council of the EU with the aim of discussing EU SME policy and actions to strengthen the operating conditions for SMEs. SME policy will also feature high on the agenda of the new Commission.

This year’s Assembly will focus on, for example, the sustainable growth of SMEs, sustainable finance, the future of work, skills and business ownership transfers. The event will be opened on Tuesday 26 November by Jari Partanen, State Secretary at the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, followed by Professor Dan Isenberg’s keynote speech on innovation-driven growth in SMEs.

The SME Assembly 2019 brings together nearly 500 participants from ministries, business development organisations, companies and entrepreneurial organisations, among others. The event will also be attended by an SME Envoy appointed by each EU Member State to discuss SME policy at EU level. Finland’s SME Envoy is Under-Secretary of State Petri Peltonen.

The European Enterprise Promotion Award (EEPA) winners will be announced in connection with the SME Assembly. The Awards showcase and share examples of best entrepreneurship policies and practices. Finnish company growth sparring programme Kasvu Open was among the 2018 EEPA winners announced in Graz, Austria.

Follow @TEM_uutiset, the Twitter account of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, to stay up to date on the SME Assembly 2019. The official event hashtag is #SMEassembly2019.

Inquiries:
Pertti Hämäläinen, Ministerial Adviser, tel. +358 295 063 516