The Observatory for European SMEs Statistics Jacqueline Snijders (EIM)

Objective To improve the monitoring of the economic performance of SMEs in Europe and to provide the necessary information to all stakeholders all over Europe.

Eighth Observatory SMEs in Europe (32 countries) Access to finance Competence development in SMEs Internationalisation Co-operation Liberalisation of network industries Enlargement (32 countries) Highligts from the survey

Information sources used Central sources Survey among around 7600 SMEs Literature Expert interviews etc.

Necessary data (Obs 7) Indicators on SMEs in 2002 Development 1988-1997 Recent development 1988-2001

Data needed Non-primary private sector Industry level (2-digit) Size classes: micro, small, medium-sided and large

Main source: SME database Some countries/industries/size classes: data on value added and labour cost missing

Developments 1988-1997 Data 1988, 1990, 1993 and 1997 not fully comparable due to improved measurement methods and NACE-rev-1– Estimates in development Number of enterprises Employment Turnover and value added

Developments 1997-2001 SMEs in Europe Accounting Scheme (SEAS) turnover Value added Employment and labour cost Number of enterprises Prices