1. The Observatory for European SMEs
Statistics
Jacqueline Snijders (EIM)

2. 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.

3. 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

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

5. Necessary data (Obs 7) Indicators on SMEs in 2002
Development
Recent development

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

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

8. Developments
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

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