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EU joins forces with Microsoft, Intel and Hewlett-Packard to aid SME’s gain access to technology grants.

Microsoft, Intel and Hewlett-Packard have pledged backing and support to expand the European Union’s Grants Advisor (EUGA) programme which is aimed at stimulating pan-European economic growth.

EUGA provides SMEs with guidance on technology funding, employment issues and start-up advice.  There is a website that offers advice on €118 billion worth of grants available.

According to research by the European Union, 55% of Europe‘s small firms remain unaware that they meet the criteria for support when developing IT systems.

The scheme was piloted in Spain, and has recently extended into Hungary, the Czech Republic, France and Poland. It is now to be expanded across all 25 EU Member States.

There are almost 20 million small and medium-sized enterprises across the EU, employing around 140 million people.  SME’s are considered as the continent’s economic engine, creating jobs and stimulating innovation.

Günter Verheugen, vice president of the European Commission, in charge of Enterprise and Industry said: “The new growth and employment initiative, the new Lisbon Agenda, can only work if it is a partnership project. We particularly need to rely on the involvement of the private sector, especially to develop the enormous innovation potential of the SMEs.”

For further information vist: http://www.microsoft.com/emea/pressCentre/euga.mspx

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Revision Number: 0.4 Created: 01/04/2005 15:57:40 Modified: 01/04/2005 16:03:27