MEP Toia brings cooperatives into Commissioner Bienkowska’s EP hearing

On 2^nd October, Commissioner-designate for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs Elzbieta Bienkowska underwent a public hearing at the EU Parliament in order to be ratified as a Commisioner. In her introductory speech, Ms.Bienkowska said: “I see visible signs of economic recovery in the EU. We therefore have to strengthen this economic recovery and build a Europe that delivers jobs and growth for its citizens. I will focus on the real economy and turn it into a competitive growth engine to the benefit of the European citizens”.

Ms. Bienkowska stressed that one her main priorities is to deliver a growth- and innovation-friendly business climate in Europe, supporting entrepreneurship and SMEs. In order to do so, Ms. Bienkowska said that she will review the Europe 2020 strategy for growth and jobs ensuring the implementation of the Entrepreneurship 2020 Action Plan and renewing the vision of the Small Business Act for Europe. Cooperatives Europe appreciates this introductory words and hopes that she will deliver her promises.

During the hearing, Member of the EU Parliament Patrizia Toia raised a question to Ms. Bienkowska about how she would guarantee a level-playing field for all kinds of enterprises such as cooperatives in the EU.

Cooperatives Europe is pleased that the theme of the plurality of business forms has been brought to the attention of the incoming Commission. We are convinced that a business environment that enables different ways of doing business to grow and develop is an essential feature in Europe’s future economy. We are therefore ready to collaborate with Ms Bienkowska to implement measures that enable all kinds of enterprise to grow and prosper.

Read Cooperatives Europe’s suggested questions for the EP hearings of Commissioner-designates here.