BIO Deutschland Attends the Signing of the Ten-Point Plan for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises
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| Mario Ohoven (BVMW) & Viola Bronsema (BIO Deutschland) sign the ten-Point Plan. (Photo: BVMW) |
Representatives of 21 trade associations recently signed the Ten-Point Plan for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) at a ceremony at the Federal Press Conference Building. The German Association for Small and Medium-sized Businesses (BVMW) coordinated the drafting of the plan, with input from BIO Deutschland. The plan lists the most important measures for ensuring that German and European SMEs can continue to work successfully.
The main demands contained in the plan are tax relief, simplification of the tax system, investment in infrastructure and education, data protection standards that meet real-life needs, less reliance on state pensions, deregulation, decentralisation, more competition by removing subsidies, the reform of the Renewable Energy Sources Act, an independent European financial regulatory body, the strengthening of the European single market, and more flexible working hours. As a pillar and growth engine of the national economy, German SMEs face many obstacles. By drafting the Ten-Point Plan, SME representatives have taken the initiative and listed important measures that should urgently be addressed during the next legislative period.
BIO Deutschland, the sector association of the biotechnology industry, was also present at the signing of the plan. “It makes sense that 21 associations have joined forces on this Ten-Point Plan,” said Viola Bronsema, Managing Director of BIO Deutschland. “Apart from dealing with biotechnology issues, our main concern is to ensure the best possible parameters for innovative SMEs.”
Mario Ohoven, President of BVMW and CEA-PME (Confédération Européenne des Associations de Petites et Moyennes Entreprises), the European confederation of SMEs, gave a short speech before the representatives of the associations signed the document.
A copy of the Ten-Point Plan is available in German at www.biodeutschland.org/files/tlf_content/pressemitteilungen/2013/10_Punkte_Plan_fuer_den_Mittelstand.pdf