The National Promotional Banks and Institutions of France (Bpifrance), Germany (KfW), Italy (CDP), Spain (ICO), and the UK (British Business Bank) teamed up with the Partner Regions Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Emilia-Romagna and Hessen to present their 2018 study on "Internationalisation of European SMEs – Taking Stock and Moving Ahead". 

This event took place on Wednesday, 7 March 2018 at the Multiple Regions House on 21, Rue Montoyer in Brussels.

Backround

International trade is a key engine for growth and welfare. This is particularly true for France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK, which account for nearly a fifth of world trade and FDI. In the five countries covered by the joint study, SMEs make up for the vast majority of firms and provide two out of three jobs – but for far less than half of all exports and imports. What challenges do SMEs face when going global? How can they be overcome? And which role do National Promotional Banks such as Bpifrance, KfW, CDP, ICO and the British Business Bank play in fostering the internationalisation of SMEs?

Bringing together experts from the financial, academic and political world with an SME, which has successfully internationalized will offer valuable insights to decision-makers in Brussels.

Programme

Welcome on behalf of the partner regions delivered by Lorenza Badiello, Director of the Delegation to the EU – Region Emilia-Romagna.

Presentation of the Joint Study by Prof. Edoardo Reviglio, Head of European and International Projects, CDP
Philippe Mutricy, Chief Economist, Bpifrance

Roundtable moderated by
Helmut von Glasenapp, Secretary General, ELTI

with the participation of:

Dr. Irmfried Schwimann, Deputy Director General, DG GROW, European Commission
Alessandra Ricci, CEO, SIMEST
Dr Reinhilde Veugelers, Professor at K. U Leuven and Senior Fellow at Bruegel
Blanca Navarro, Chief Economist, ICO
Dr Jörg Zeuner, Chief Economist, KfW Bankengruppe
Grégoire Andrieu-Guitrancourt, VP Sales / General Manager (France) at iBanFirst.