European SME Week 2010

That the Parliament notes that European Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SME) Week 2010, which runs from 25 May to 1 June, seeks to promote and support entrepreneurship; notes that it is estimated that over 3 million people will participate in some 1,261 events and activities that are being organised in 37 countries across Europe, showcasing the support available to business at European, national, regional and local levels; recognises the importance of this event as an engine to encourage entrepreneurship so that more people seriously consider becoming an entrepreneur as a career option; notes that in Scotland there is believed to be approximately 280,000 SMEs, employing around 1 million people and representing 99% of all enterprises and 53% of all employment; believes that events being held in Scotland and elsewhere in the UK will allow SMEs and micro-firms to share experiences with their European equivalents in order to further develop their businesses, and wishes those involved in organising the events, and those participating, all the best for a successful week.