1 FinNetSME – Network for Regional SME Finance Open Days - European Week of Regions and Cities Workshop 11 C 06 Building a European High-Tech Network:

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FinNetSME – Network for Regional SME

Finance

Open Days - European Week of Regions and Cities

Workshop 11 C 06 “Building a European High-Tech Network: Making Ideas Work”, Brussels, 11 October 2005

Cornelia Gerster, European Association of Public Banks

European Association of Public Banks

- European Association of Public Banks and Funding Agencies -

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Why FinNetSME?

SMEs the backbone of European economy

Lisbon objectives to be fulfilled: more productivity, innovation capacity and sustainable growth

Decreasing public expenditure need for intelligent and innovative financing solutions

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Who we are

20 regional public banks, development agencies, financing and business support agencies

9 EU countries: FI, LT, LV, I, E, GR, D, B, F

+ Associated partners and partner networks

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What we aim at

To encourage the exchange of know-how between regional SME-financiers

To develop innovative financial instruments and financing strategies

To improve SMEs’ access to finance and close the equity gap

To build competitive regions through the support of entrepreneurship and innovation and regional development

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How we work – major meetings

Nov 04: Conference “Challenges of Regional SME Finance” (Brussels)

Feb 05: Seminar Regional Financiers in the EU (Vilnius)

Sep 05: Seminar Regional Supply Chain (Thermi)

Feb 06: Conference: mid-term review (Rome)

Jun 06: Seminar Challenges for Regional Finance (Turin & Aosta)

Oct 06: Seminar Financial Engineering (Kiel)

May 07: Conference: presentation of results (Brussels)

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How we work – issues of interest

Current issues of main interest, models and working groups:

Early-stage finance Micro-financing Equity financing Cooperation of financiers in the regions: regional supply chain

Open list!

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How we work - proceedings

1. Stock-taking: accumulation of information

2. Analysis of the existing support instruments

3. Development of models/templates as guidance for the development of innovative instruments

+ Input on demand for support measures from other thematic networks

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How we work – tools

Database: basis for information accumulation and analysis

Website (finnetsme.org): pivotal information portal (access to database, forum groups etc.)

Newsletters: ongoing communication of project progress

Best practice guide: summary of knowledge gathered

Centre of competence on regional SME finance

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How we work – database

Detailed and structured description of financial and non-financial instruments (financing sources, beneficiaries, eligible expenses etc.)

Crosslinks with information on the corresponding region, partner and financial/non-financial instruments

Comparability

Accessibility for all partners and, once finalized, for the general public

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What we want to achieve

Best possible support instruments

To make information (“best practice”) on regional SME finance practices easily available

To facilitate the development of innovative financial products and strategies

Sustainable exchange with thematic networks to obtain the recipients’ demands and feedback on our instruments

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Outlook

FinNetSME builds a platform of exchange and ameliorates the informational situation on regional SME finance

Exchange of knowledge and “good practice” leads to innovative financing solutions and support measures adapting to changing demands

Innovative (non-)financial support measures serve to better finance innovation in regions and to contribute to regional competitiveness

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Thank you for your attention!

Further information:

[email protected]

[email protected]