The launch of the SME Policy Index: Western Balkans and Turkey 2016 is organised by the OECD South East Europe Regional Programme in co-operation with the European Commission, the European Bank for reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the European Training Foundation (ETF) and the South East European Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning (SEECEL).

The event represents a distinguished occasion to participate in a high-level discussion on SME policy in the EU enlargement region. The latest developments and outstanding challenges identified in the SBA assessment will be debated with prominent EU officials, government officials from the Western Balkans and Turkey, OECD member countries as well as international partner organisations. The event will be structured as follows:

1) Interactive panel discussions on the most relevant policy areas for SMEs

2) Sessions on innovation as an important driver of SME sector development, focusing on policies that foster links between business and education and the public sector and social innovation

3) The launch of the SME Policy Index: Western Balkans and Turkey 2016 – Assessing the Implementation of the Small Business Act for Europe, with the purpose of presenting the findings of the Small Business Act for Europe (SBA) Assessment and discussing key developments and remaining challenges for the business environment, particularly for SMEs in the EU enlargement region.

 Agenda