Events to look out for
Better use of ICT to leverage the competiveness of companies in the Industry 4.0 era: WATIFY Webinar – 28 March, 10:00 CET. The webinar will give some ideas about a better use of the existing ICT resources, referring to new business models and to the experience of companies that successfully implemented such an integration in Europe.
How to manage across cultures: cultural Intelligence as the key to success: CUBE IN webinar - 10 April, 15:00 CET. This webinar will discuss how to master three aspects of being a culturally intelligent global leader: openness, curiosity, and knowledge.
Funds available
EUR25 million of loans for cultural and creative SMEs in the Czech Republic. The European Investment Fund and Komerční banka (KB) have signed a guarantee agreement for Czech businesses. The agreement will allow KB to widen its support for Czech small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the cultural and creative sectors perceived to be more risky. This will reach out to underserved sub-sectors including audio-visual, digital games, design and start-ups active in the creative digital content industry, with EUR 25 million of loans over the next three years.
EUR 123 million in EU support for 5000 small businesses in the Baltic countries. The European Investment Fund (EIF) and Swedbank have signed a microfinance agreement aimed at supporting micro-businesses in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Thanks to the financial backing of the European Commission, Swedbank Baltic will be able to provide up to EUR 123 million financing to 5000 microbusinesses in Baltic countries over the next three years.
EU policies for better business
Capital Markets Union: breaking down barriers to cross-border investments and accelerating delivery. The European Commission took a major step towards the development of a Capital Markets Union (CMU) by promoting alternative sources of financing and removing barriers to cross-border investments. Building on progress already achieved since the launch of the CMU in 2015, these new proposals will boost the cross-border market for investment funds, promote the EU market for covered bonds as a source of long-term finance and ensure greater certainty for investors.
European Commission addresses regulatory barriers to innovation by signing second Innovation Deal on batteries for electric vehicles. Last week the European Commission took another step to help overcome perceived regulatory barriers to innovation. An Innovation Deal was signed by eight partners from national and regional authorities as well as innovators from France and the Netherlands, aiming to tackle whether regulation is conducive to environment-friendly and industrially-efficient recycling and re-use of electric vehicle batteries.
Get involved
Do you want to help make better policies for start-ups in Europe? Answer the EU start-up Monitor. Your input will help in making better, evidence driven policies for start-ups in Europe. Replying to this survey will take about 10-12 minutes and all responses are anonymous.
Give feedback on the new bioeconomy strategy. Thanks to bioeconomy we can create innovative products and energy from nature. You can help shape the new EU policy on bioeconomy by giving feedback on the update of the 2012 strategy.
Banking regulation: consultation on the finalisation of Basel III. Last week the European Commission launched an exploratory consultation on the last piece of banking regulatory reform of the Basel III agreement. The consultation aims to gather views from interested parties on the potential impact that amendments may have on the EU banking sector and the wider economy, as well as to highlight possible implementation challenges. The consultation is open until 12 April 2018.
The European Commission is looking for experts on product liability law, with a view to draw up guidance - also on emerging digital technologies - and think about the future. If you are an expert on product liability, answer the call until 30 April 2018.