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Brussels, 19 May 2006

The news:

• The European Parliament is expected to adopt the Competitiveness and Innovation Programme (CIP) on first reading.
• Competitiveness and innovation are the twin keys to unlocking Europe’s potential for sustainable growth and more and better jobs. In April 2005 the Commission came forward with a proposal for “Competitiveness and Innovation framework Programme (CIP)” which is a coherent and integrated response to the objectives of the renewed Lisbon strategy and will run from 2007 to 2013.
• This proposal has an emphasis on targeting SMEs and the aim of enabling small businesses to have access to innovation. It will support actions that develop the capacity of enterprise and industry to innovate. Whilst building on tried and tested programmes, CIP also includes many new elements such as:

A risk capital instrument for High Growth and Innovative Companies (GIF2)

Securitisation” of banks’ SME loan portfolios

Enhanced role for innovation and business support networks

Demonstrators of technological and organisational solutions to European ICT- services

A twinning programme for policy makers.

• Adoption of the CIP by the European Parliament would mark a significant step forward and would allow arrangements for implementation to be stepped up.

The event:
Press conference Vice President Verheugen and Mr Chatzimarkakis in European Parliament. IP.

The sources:

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The contacts:
Gregor Kreuzhuber + 32 2 96 6565 ; Catherine Bunyan + 32 2 299 6512

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