Events to look out for
Save the date: EU Industry Days – 5-6 February 2019, Brussels (BE). The European Commission will organise 'European Industry Days' for the third time next year. To accompany the event, local events will take place across under the 'European Industry Week' brand. Applications for local events and to organise stakeholder sessions at the main policy conference, are welcome until 30 September 2018.
Copernicus Ecosystem workshop – 9-10 October, Brussels (BE). In this two-day workshop, small European companies will have the chance to present their products and services in 5 minute pitches to more than 300 space industry stakeholders.
Funds available
EUR 300 million for Italian SMEs in creative and cultural sectors. The European Investment Fund (EIF) and Italy's national promotional institution Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP) have signed an agreement with the aim of generating EUR 300 million in new financing for around 3,500 small businesses in the cultural and creative sectors in Italy. The initiative supports and promotes the issuance of new loans to enterprises in various fields, including cinema, theatre, TV, publishing and architecture. It is estimated that within the next six months around 900 borrowers will gain access to bank loans.
EU policies for better business
New regulations on medical devices: factsheets for SME manufacturers. In 2017, the European Commission adopted new regulations on the manufacturing of medical devices and in-vitro diagnostic devices across the EU. Now, a new factsheet has been prepared with SMEs in mind and aims to provide clear information on what the changes mean and how to prepare on time.