site.btaUPDATED Alan Coheur of EESC: Green Transition Poses Challenge to Small and Micro Enterprises, Liberal Professions

In an online address to the participants in a Sofia forum on SMEs and the green transition, Alain Coheur, head of the European Economic and Social Committee’s Section for the Single Market, Production and Consumption, said that the green transition is a challenge to the entire economy but, in particular, to small and micro enterprises and to liberal professions.

He also said that SMEs are a leading economic sector that generates nearly half of the GDP and over half of employment. It is important for Europe’s competitiveness and the European society’s stability. 

Coheur went on to say that legislative changes should be made in a way that will allow small companies to easily apply them. The energy transition is another key challenge to SMEs. The aggression against Ukraine has led to a critical situation with raw materials and an increase of energy prices, and the EU should take a clear stand on these challenges.

Monday’s forum is on the topic of "SMEs, Social Economy Enterprises, Crafts, Liberal Professions: Opportunities and Challenges of the Green Transition". The high-level event is organized by the European Economic and Social Committee and the Bulgarian Industrial Capital Association.