No government strategy for SME's

The Government has no development strategy for small and medium enterprises (SME) for the period of time between 2000 and 2004, although this sector is an important chapter in the development strategy approved in Brussels, Small and Medium Enterprises National Board (CNIPMMR) representatives on Wednesday told a press conference.

“Government’s action plan for 2000 and for 2000-2004 does not contain any hint to the sector of small and medium enterprises,” CNIPMMR president Ovidiu Niculescu said. “None of the 15 domains included in the Government’s action plan refer to SME’s or to industrial policies,” Nicolescu added.

According to SME representatives, this situation might have been triggered by the flaws in the national strategy or within the Government’s action plan. Romania cannot overcome the economic crisis in the absence of a governmental programme aimed at supporting SME’s.

National Agency for Regional Development (ANDR) president Liviu Marcu grounded the absence of the SME sector from the Government’s programme on the fact that this domain is considered to be important as far as negotiations for Romania’s joining the European Union are concerned but it does not represent a domain to be monitored by the European Commission.

As to the Phare programme launched in 1998 in order to create new jobs and develop local economy, ANDR president said that all documents were approved. “We are now able to sign contracts and grant financing to the 441 foreign applicants,” Marcu said.

SME representatives are still sceptical about the date by which the money will enter entrepreneurs’ accounts, given that eight months have already passed since the payment deadline of the first tranche.