A UNICE seminar bringing together SMEs and finance players to better understand and overcome obstacles to financing SMEs:

SMEs access to finance: a better understanding

On 27 September 2005 from 13.00–17.00 at UNICE Conference Centre (AISBL, 168 Av. de Cortenbergh - B-1000 Brussels).

Indeed, for SMEs to be the driving force of European growth and job creation they largely depend on the possibility to invest in restructuring, innovation and qualification.   Such investments need capital and therefore access to finance which for SMEs in particular encounters serious obstacles in Europe.

We have brought together in two panels distinguished SME CEOs and top representatives from the financial sector to present, discuss and debate their experience in SME finance, identify obstacles and explore ways to overcome them. The first panel will concentrate on the relationship between SMEs and banks and the second panel will discuss SMEs access to venture capital and private equity.

Seminar Outline

In the European Union, nine out of ten companies are small or medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). They provide almost two out of every three jobs. They are the driving force of European growth and job creation. UNICE, representing almost 20 million entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized companies is organising this seminar to state their concerns about accessing finance, and push for change: ‘Let SMEs grow!’

SME growth largely depends on the possibility to invest in restructuring, innovation and qualification. All of these investments need capital and therefore access to finance.

Participants

Participants will be representatives of companies, business organisations, representatives of the European Institutions (Council, Commission, and European Parliament). All will have the opportunity to ask questions to the panel of experts and give their own views.

Programme

13.00 Registration of participants

13.30 Opening Remarks: Philippe de Buck, UNICE Secretary General

13.45 Panel I: SMEs and banks: dealing with a new environment
Moderator: Francesco Bellotti, CEO Genta Francesco Sas dei Fratelli Bellotti
* Mr David Yong, ABN AMRO, (SME Risk Policy, GRM Consumer &Programme Lending)
* Mr Peter Konesny, DSGV - German Association of Savings Banks
* Ms Signhild Arnegård Hansen, CEO of Svenska LantChips AB)
* Mr Marjo Wildvank, CEO, Software Improvement Group B.V.

14.50 Questions from the floor / discussion

15.00 Coffee break

15.15 Panel II: Venture capital / private equity and SMEs: making it happen
Moderator: Mr William Stevens, Chairman E-Unlimited
* Mr Hugh-Morgan Williams, Chairman Canford Group plc, Vice Chair of UNICE’s Entrepreneurship & SME Committee
* Dr. Erich Felber, CEO Biovertis AG
* Mr Francis Carpenter, CEO of the European Investment Fund
* Venture Capital / Private Equity Practitioner (tbc)

16.25 Questions from the floor / discussion

16.45 Concluding Remarks: Mr Heinz Zourek, Deputy Director General, Enterprise and Industry Directorate General, European Commission

17.00 Drinks reception

Osalemistasu: 90 eurot

Registreerimine: Nathalie Dejong, nd@unice.be