WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2082/98 by Alexandros ALAVANOS to the Commission. Aid for small and medium-sized businesses in the Perama shipyard area
18. 1. 1999 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 13/145 It attaches considerable importance to arrangements which allow European citizens to exercise the right of freedom of movement granted to them by the EC Treaty. This is why, for instance, it supports the EURES network of public employment services, social partners and other local-level partners. The task of this network, which makes use of more than 500 Euroadvisers and modern information technologies, is to inform and advise jobseekers (or employers) in the context of geographical mobility. It helps people find a job abroad, through a database containing around 100 000 specially selected vacancies. Details of some of these vacancies are now available on the EURES Internet site (http://europa. eu. int/jobs/eures), which also offers links to the sites of many public employment services throughout Europe. A detailed presentation of EURES activities may be found in the report (1) adopted by the Commission on 3 July 1998 and transmitted to the European Parliament. (1) COM(98) 413 final. (1999/C 13/205) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2082/98 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission (10 July 1998) Subject: Aid for small and medium-sized businesses in the Perama shipyard area A large number of small and medium-sized firms operate in the shipyard area at Perama, mainly carrying out boat repairs. These firms help alleviate the high level of unemployment in the area. In recent years, they have experienced a great many problems, which has led to a decline in employment, even though they do quality work and have introduced a wide range of innovations. Their problems are mainly concerned with modernization, funding and their ability to raise loans. What steps will the Commission take towards resolving the problems of these businesses? Answer by Mr Papoutsis on behalf of the Commission (17 September 1998) The Commission is aware of the important economic and social role of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the shipyard area at Perama (Athens), where they are involved mainly in ship repairs. They provide maintenance for seagoing vessels and make a major contribution to maritime safety. Because of overcapacity in the sector, however, the shipbuilding › and especially ship repair › sector is subject to restrictive rules governing the granting of aid. In spite of their flexibility in terms of availability and the excellent standard of their work, a great deal of their work cannot be planned and depends for the most part on external factors. Some SMEs do not own their facilities, however, but rent them as required. In these circumstances, financial institutions are at times reluctant to provide loans for modernisation. Also, in view of the risk involved, the banks offer loans at higher rates of interest than for large enterprises in the sector. If SMEs in the shipbuilding sector want to modernise their facilities, they are in theory eligible for help from the European Structural Funds. The Community will thus be able to provide support, provided that there is no increase in capacity. As for the financing of SMEs, the Commission is aware of the difficulties encountered by many European SMEs in securing medium- and long-term loans at reasonable rates. The Commission will raise this matter during the round-table talks with the banks and the SMEs that are scheduled to start in autumn 1998