EU Programmes‟ Financial Support to SMEs: Reducing the Differences Under the View of Funding the Innovation and Key Technologies

Abstract

Under their adaptable production structures and quick adjustment to technological innovations in the world economic developments, SMEs are among the most important wheels of both the EU economy and the whole global economy. This paper examines, the significance and the size of SMEs which contribute to production capacity, financial investments, economic development, and EU/national income, as well as employment and management and other areas, are combined and studied using a set of data and information; therefore, the EU Programmes which provide financial support are mainly organized regarding the financial issues of SMEs are also introduced. Under this logic, the parts of the funding programmes offered to SMEs within the EU budget over the budget period from 2014 to 2020 in the Union‟s budget are assessed, and recommendations are suggested for the next years 2021-2027, as well. Consequently, banks and/or other financial institutions may not be able to constitute credit products, interest rates, loan amounts and appropriate repayment maturities that are suitable for the needs of SMEs, or most importantly, they may not have sufficient resources to finance specific credits.