Helping businesses grow [antikvár]

A dynamic economy needs new inputs in the form of new ideas, new products and processes and the enthusiasm and skill of new entrepreneurs. Encouraging the creation of new businesses is therefore an important part of the enterprise policy of the European Union and of the Member States. But a dynamic economy alsó requires the continuing and successful growth of these new businesses, together with the consistent development of existing enterprises. It needs to use the accumulated experience and resources of existing enterprises to help create new markets, introduce innovation in all its forms and make the organisational changes that are necessary in responding to the challenges of the modern economy. At the Lisbon European Council in March 2000, Europe's leaders set a very clear objective: that of making Europe 'the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world' over the course of the decade. Achieving this objective requires many changes and improvements in the way that our economy and society operate, but one of the areas where public authorities and agencies can have most impact is in the improvement of the environment in which enterprises are created and develop their activities. It is by creating the right environment that enterprises will have the best chance to launch their activities and subsequently thrive.