Removing obstacles faced by small and medium-sized enterprises

Question for written answer E-001400/2025/rev. 1 to the Commission Rule 144 Georgios Aftias (PPE) Subject: Removing obstacles faced by small and medium-sized enterprises It is generally agreed that supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is crucial for the development of all economies, as they constitute the heart of every country's economy. In recent years, there has been a trend of SMEs being bypassed by European funding. Since small businesses are effectively excluded from the necessary funding, which is the basis of not only their development but also their very survival, the Commission is asked whether this completely unfair treatment will end, so that small and medium-sized enterprises will achieve equal treatment in funding. All European economies – including that of Greece – are based on small and medium-sized entrepreneurship. Given that Greece’s trade community and the Athens Traders’ Association represent hundreds of thousands of members, the Commission is asked: 1. Will this discrimination between large and small businesses be stopped? 2. Will traders be given incentives to participate equally in financing and development processes, as are given to other businesses? 3. How does the Commission intend to intervene, given that the new conditions created in global entrepreneurship require the Commission’s immediate support to address this issue? Submitted: 7.4.2025 PE772.782v02-00