Progress in the Implementation of the European Charter for Small Enterprises in the Western Balkans: 2009 SME Policy Index Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of Western Balkan economies, and constitute a principal element of the European Union's crisis recovery. Building on the The 2007 SME Policy Index -- released as the first comprehensive comparative assessment of progress made in the Western Balkans in implementing the European Charter for Small Enterprises -- the 2009 SME Policy Index provides further comparative analysis, as well as a detailed assessment of country performances over the last two years. The report also includes a special section on supporting high-growth and innovative SMEs.

The Outline of the SME Policy Index approach and methodology is an analytical tool designed by the OECD Investment Compact for South East Europe and the European Commission, and uses collaborative benchmarking to measure progress in the ten dimensions of the Charter:

• Education and training for entrepreneurship
• Cheaper and faster start-up
• Better legislation and regulation
• Availability of skills
• Improving online access for tax filing and company registration
• Getting more out of the single market
• Taxation and financial matters
• Strengthening the technological capacity of small enterprises
• Successful e-business models and top class business support
• Developing stronger, more effective representation of small enterprises

Launched in Brussels on 17 June 2009, this report covers Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Kosovo.

Contents

Download the publication in pdf format, chapter by chapter

• Introduction and methodology
• Key findings
• Part I: Policy findings by policy dimension in the European Charter for Small Enterprises
  A break-down of the Western Balkan countries' performance in terms of the ten policy dimensions of the European Charter for Small Enterprises that create a favourable business environment for SMEs: Education and training for entrepreneurship, cheaper and faster start-ups, better legislation and regulation, availability of skills, improving on-line access for SMEs, getting more out of the Single Market, taxation and access to finance, strengthening the technological capacity of small enterprises, successful e-business models, and developing stronger and more effective representation of small enterprises' interests. 
• Part II: Policy measures to support high-growth SMEs in the Western Balkans
  A special section on innovative, high-growth SMEs (GHSMEs)  in the Western Balkans, providing the background and context of HGSMEs, as well as recommendations for offering sound policy support for HGSMEs, and upgrading the SME policy process. Special case studies on the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Serbia are also included.
• Part III: Performance profiles of the Western Balkan countries and kosovo under UNSCR 1244/99
  A review and detailed analysis for each country performance is based on the extent of successful implementation of SME policy and public-private consultation, an inducive operational environment, and the provision of services for enterprise and human capital, and also takes into account the effects of the global economic and financial crisis.
• Annexes: List of abbreviations, the SME Policy Index assessment grids, and the Western Balkans National Charter Co-ordinators