NEWS | Wednesday, 16 July 2008

An essential resource for Maltese companies

www.enterprise-europemalta.com
The Enterprise Europe office within Malta Enterprise has just launched a dynamic new web site. The main objective is to offer both existing and potential clients clear and understandable information on how Enterprise Europe can assist them with their business. www.enterprise-europemalta.com also strives to render Maltese SMEs more aware of the numerous opportunities that exist in Europe and beyond for their operational and technological advancement.
The overarching themes of the website are technology and innovation, international competitiveness, and FP7/CIP programmes. Each of these sections includes its own portfolio of services. Just to mention a few, users will have access to regularly updated business opportunities, partner search, technology watch, funding alerts and tender alerts. It is also hoped that the structure of the new website strikes a good balance between offering key business, funding and technology leads and, at the same time, highlighting relevant news content.
Other important features are the calendar of events organised both locally and abroad and the forum section where website users are invited to post their questions or comments on topical issues.
Containing a wealth of information, the Enterprise Europe website strives to be a comprehensive and accessible resource. The Enterprise Europe Network is the largest network of contact points providing information and advice to EU companies on EU matters, in particular small and medium enterprises (SMEs). We provide practical answers to specific questions in your language.”
The network offers concrete and effective solutions to entrepreneurs and companies in more than 40 countries, including the 27 EU member states, three EU candidate countries (Croatia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Turkey), members of the European Economic Area (EEA) and other participating third countries. The Enterprise Europe Network is unique both in terms of its wide geographic reach and of the wide range of integrated services it provides to SMEs and other business actors. This is made possible thanks to the coordinated action of nearly 600 local partner organisations, employing around 4 000 experienced staff working to support the competitiveness of EU businesses.
Launched in 2008 by the European Commission, the Enterprise Europe Network combines and builds on the former Innovation Relay Centres and Euro Info Centers (established in 1995 and 1987 respectively). The new integrated network offers a “one-stop shop” to meet all the information needs of SMEs and companies in Europe. Instruments include business partner search within technology and business cooperation databases and fast access to information on funding opportunities. Representatives of the network can also help businesses understand EU law, how it applies to their business and how to make the most the internal market and EU programmes. The Enterprise Europe Network fully exploits the synergies between all support services and helpdesks aimed at European businesses. The “one-stop shop” service is accompanied by a “no wrong door” policy: an entrepreneur or business actor can enter the network through any contact point, and will then be assisted and personally directed to the relevant service or organisation.
The Enterprise Europe Network offers easy access and proximity to local services for SMEs, thus creating regional business gateways. Regional consortia cooperate to create a coherent support structure for local companies, boosting the region’s profile and its competitiveness. Business actors are encouraged to share, define and disseminate best practices in fields such as innovation, expansion to new markets, enlargement of the client base, improvement of market position, etc. As a result, the Enterprise Europe Network helps SMEs realise their potential in terms of growth and regional job creation.