The third annual conference of the European Enterprise Network, held in Antwerp 13 and 15 October has been the perfect forum to the presentation of the new fifteen EEN contact points in China and South Korea. These new contact points will be one precious tool for SME's internationalisation in these attractive markets.

Competitiveness and internationalisation are two key aspects when in comes to help companies, especially SMEs to succeed in the current financial crisis situation. Today, 25% of small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in the European Union export or have exported at some point during the last 3 years, a share which is expected to increase considerably. These key elements have been on focus at the Third Annual Conference of the Enterprise Europe Network held in Antwerp between 13 and 15 October.

During this annual meeting, the various partners discussed European Commission  priorities for the network for the year to come, focusing on innovation and international business. Over three days, members of various working groups set out new actions and specific approaches, exchanged best practices and presented new tools to support European SMEs. Particular attention was paid to the role of European SMEs in 2020 and to the support that the Enterprise Europe Network should give entrepreneurs in order for them to remain competitive on the global market.

In this particular matter and in order to bring support to SMEs ready to do business abroad, the Enterprise Europe Network has extended its reach to Asia, with additional contact points in China and more planned in Japan. There are now 10 partner organisations in China, in cities including Guangzhou, Xiamen and Hangzhou, and five in South Korea, including centres in Seoul and research hub Daejeon.

Enterprise Europe Network Stars: winning SMEs

The conference also honoured four winning SMEs with a special ‘Network Stars’ award. These awards showcase inspiring stories of how the Network helps companies to achieve their goals. The winners are:

• French electronics company Westline and Polish engineering firm Gryftec, who teamed up through the Network to reach new markets and find new business.
• Belgian entrepreneur Serge Vleeschouwer and Germany company AirMed Plus, who struck a deal to market a anti-reflux baby bed in Germany, thanks to the Network.

The Conference also included best practice workshops which enabled the network’s various consortia to exchange knowledge and experience, aiming to bring innovation to the three-day conference. Various “practical sessions” were planned for participants, during which they were able to test new tools and techniques that they will subsequently be able to use with entrepreneurs in their own networks.

Special attention was also paid to feedback given to the Commission by the Enterprise Europe Network’s consortia about their day-to-day experiences in the entrepreneurial world, and more specifically, in their dealings with SMEs, therefore addressing various aspects of the Small Business Act.

Enterprise Europe Network, helping SMEs to boost business

Since January 2008 and under the Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme (CIP) of the European Commission, the Enterprise Europe Network has been providing services in support of business and innovation, including business co-operation, transfer of technology and access to the FP7, as one of the main instruments to support European SMEs in their competitiveness and innovation efforts.

It offers practical support and advice to more than two million European small businesses, helping them to make the most of international opportunities and start exporting. Spanning 47 countries, including EU Member States and candidate countries, the US, Russia, China, Mexico and South Korea, the Network is well placed to help SMEs trade outside national and EU borders. The services are delivered through 589 specialist business and techology organisations with 3,000 expert staff members.

The Network also provides information on EU legislation and funding, offers advice on how to develop an innovative idea and helps companies to increase their chances of success when applying for EU funding.