Working Breakfast on Challenges and Opportunities in Safeguarding the Innovations of European SMEs
On Tuesday, 25th of June the SME Europe of the European People´s Party (EPP) organized together with Fraunhofer Institute and Qualcomm a Working Breakfast on Challenges and Opportunities in Safeguarding the Innovations of European SMEs – Lessons from the “Learn to Protect” Project.
The debate was opened by Dr. Paul RÜBIG MEP, EP Committee on Industry, Research and Energy and SME Europe Honorary President who mentioned the importance of supporting SMEs and encouraging the innovation and introduced the speakers.
Silvia BARTOLINI, Member of the Cabinet of Vice-President of the European Commission Antonio Tajani, Commissioner for Enterprise and Industry stressed the European Commission efforts to promote successful entrepreneurship and improve the business environment for SMEs, to allow them to realise their full potential in today’s global economy.
Mario CAMPOLARGO, Director, Net Futures, DG CONNECT, European Commission mentioned also the European Commission interest in sustaining innovative SMEs with innovative solutions. In this regard, the Horizon 2020, the financial instrument implementing the Innovation Union will be aimed at securing Europe’s global competitiveness. Running from 2014 to 2020 with an €80 billion budget, the EU’s new programme for research and innovation is part of the drive to create new growth and jobs in Europe and will address SMEs as well.
William B. BOLD, Senior Vice-President, Head of Global Government Affairs, Qualcomm Inc. shared the experience of Qualcomm investment in research mentioning the SMEs are the engine that resources the economic development.
The Working Breakfast finalized with a questions and answers session.