Brussels, 28 November 2023 – Following several high-level events across Europe, including the Digital SME Summit, the SME Assembly and the European Parliament of Enterprises, European SME Week 2023 ended with a resounding call to recognise the central role of small and medium European enterprises will play in navigating the digital and green transitions in the run-up to 2030.
UNITEE at the SME Assembly
The SME Assembly held from Monday the 13th of November to Wednesday the 15th of November in Bilbao, Spain, fostered discussions on sustainable enterprises, upskilling for a data-driven future, and navigating cultural change in enterprises as well as fostering entrepreneurial spirit, investing in skills, supporting digital transition, improving business environments, promoting sustainability, and inclusive entrepreneurship.
UNITEE participation at the Assembly served to represent a diverse group of business professionals with migrant backgrounds, voicing the unique challenges and potentials of its members, who are often overlooked in mainstream economic narratives.
“UNITEE’s participation is more than just a representation. It’s a strategic endeavour to strengthen economic ties between Europe and the countries of origin of its members, emphasizing the role of migrant entrepreneurs as crucial bridges in international trade and cultural exchange. By showcasing success stories and engaging in high-level discussions, UNITEE intends to highlight how cultural diversity is not just an asset but a driving force for innovation and economic resilience in Europe. The Assembly also offered a treasure trove of learning and networking opportunities. Engaging with policymakers, industry experts, and fellow SMEs, UNITEE is poised to forge meaningful collaborations and partnerships, further enhancing its services and support to its members.”
– UNITEE President, Adem Kumcu.
UNITEE’s presence at the Assembly is a significant step to pushing forward an economically robust, sustainable, and inclusive European business landscape, with New Europeans integral contributors to economic growth and innovation.
Reclaiming Digital Competitiveness
The European Digital SME Alliance held its inaugural SME summit on the 13th of November at the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC). The call of the day was to ensure that European tech SMEs are placed at the forefront of global technological leadership by 2030.
“The EU’s share in the global ICT market has halved in the last ten years, from 21.8% in 2013 to 11.3% in 2022. We rely on foreign countries’ imports for 80% of our digital products. It’s obvious that the old way of doing things is not working and that we need a new blueprint for SME-led technological leadership.’’
– President of the European DIGITAL SME Alliance, Oliver Grün
The Summit emphasised the need for Europe to move fast to reclaim its digital competitiveness by prioritising bottom-up approaches, including regulations that strike a balance between trust and innovation and fair conditions and oversight for major digital platforms.
Looming problems including skills shortages amongst the European workforce as well as creating climate-neutral solutions for a sustainable future were at the forefront of discussions.
Making Entrepreneurial Voices Heard
Entrepreneurs from across the continent gather in the European Parliament on the 14th of November to make their voices heard in the European Parliament of Enterprises.
Entrepreneurs underscored the need for proactive measures to attract the best global talents, acknowledging the need for more skilled individuals amidst the rapid technological evolution.
The question of improved legal migration policies emerged prominently, with entrepreneurs seeking clarity on the EU’s plans to address labour market shortages through better migration regulations.
Closing the Skills Gap
Confirming these insights statistically, the latest Eurobarometer Study on SMEs released on the 14th of November, revealed that skills shortages are a serious problem for the majority of EU SMEs. SMEs expressed their satisfaction with existing policy support but called for serious improvements in fiscal incentives and training for upskilling.
Almost half of SMEs faced skills shortages for technically trained staff including lab-workers and mechanics, with these shortages resulting in “increased workload for existing staff, the loss of sales or sales opportunities as well as reduced profitability and growth”.
Way forward
The European SME Week underscored the skills deficits affecting SMEs across the continent, urging a renewed focus on SME-centred strategies, such as upskilling of the workforce, increasing European competitiveness in the tech sector, and improving the overall sustainability of businesses to navigate the green transition.
In the run-up to the European Elections 2024, UNITEE will continue to push for a European Agenda on Inclusive Entrepreneurship, advocating for a resilient and inclusive business environment in Europe where New Europeans play a vital role in driving growth and fostering innovation.