Trade with Greece
9
T
oday, we need our entrepreneurs more
than ever, as we seek to strengthen the
recovery and create the jobs of the
future. That is why the European Commission’s
top priorities are to develop a more favourable
business environment across Europe, to ease
access to finance for companies –particularly
SMEs– and to promote education and training
systems that meet the businesses’ needs.
With the backing of the EU budget, we are doing
a lot to help entrepreneurs and smaller compa-
nies succeed – for instance, through our Erasmus
for Young Entrepreneurs exchanges, or the
Horizon 2020 research and innovation pro-
gramme. Greek entrepreneurs are well-placed to
benefit from these initiatives. In fact, Greece is
now above the EU average when it comes to
absorbing European structural and cohesion
funding. We are also making efforts to reduce
bureaucracy, exempting smaller companies from
certain EU rules.
By working together at the European level to har-
ness the energy of our entrepreneurs, I truly
believe that we can create a more competitive
Europe. And given your experiences during the
crisis –and the fact that your country is taking on
the responsibility of a Council Presidency– I
believe Greek entrepreneurs have important
insights to offer.
Europe’s entrepreneurs, particularly our millions
of small and medium-sized companies, form the
backbone of our economy. Entrepreneurs are the
people that take risks to make their dreams a
reality. It is their determination that creates the
added value, wealth and employment in our
societies.
Greek Entrepreneurs
have Important Insights to
Offer
By José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission
