Opportunities and challenges for Blue SMEs and Maritime regions
Opportunities and challenges for Blue SMEs and Maritime regions
Hosted by MEP Josianne Cutajar, SEArica Vice-Chair for SMEs and Digitalisation
Organised with the support of the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions
25 January 2023 – 9:30-11:30 (Brussels Time)
European Parliament, Room SPINELLI 3H1 & online
Have a look at the video message of Karmenu Vella, former European Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries
Please find HERE the recording of the meeting
Blue SMEs, active in sectors such as marine renewable energy, shipping, fisheries and aquaculture, coastal tourism and marine biotechnology, are vital to the long-term success of the blue economy and the sustainable development of maritime regions.
However, many businesses in these sectors are facing barriers to growth and are currently under great pressure because of the reduced energy supply and price increase caused by the present geopolitical situation. In addition, they are expected to keep pace with the green and digital transition and adapt their business models to new needs and requirements.
While the existence of funding schemes supporting blue SMEs and start-ups at the EU, national and regional levels, is very positive and signalises the importance of the SME ecosystem for Europe’s economy, the fragmentation and complexity of the funds lead to difficulties in their access.
In this context, it is important to provide concrete answers on how blue SMEs can overcome barriers and make use of digitalisation and greening opportunities.
This event, hosted by MEP Cutajar, SEArica Vice-Chair for SMEs and Digitalisation, will be the occasion to showcase the digitalisation challenges faced by blue SMEs and engage in a discussion on the available opportunities and ways to unlock their potential and fully support their development.
Event Properties
| Event Date | 25-01-2023 9:30 |
| Event End Date | 25-01-2023 11:30 |
| Location | European Parliament Brussels |
| Categories | Conférence 2019-2024,Blue Economy, Maritime Industries and Ports,Maritime Transport,Mediterranean |
| Attachment | SEArica_Agenda_Blue SMEs Maritime regions.pdf |
What is an Intergroup?
The Seas, Rivers, Islands and Coastal Areas Intergroup is one of the 27 Intergroups that were approved on 11 December 2019 by the Conference of Presidents for the 9th legislature of the European Parliament. Intergroups can be formed by MEPs from any political group and any parliamentary committee with a view to holding informal exchanges of views on particular issues and promoting contact between MEPs and civil society.
The Seas, Rivers, Islands and Coastal Areas Intergroup brings together more than 100 MEPs from 7 different political groups and 23 Member States.
Intergroups are not Parliament bodies and therefore may not express Parliament's opinion.
Intergroups are subject to internal rules adopted by the Conference of Presidents on 16 December 1999 (last updated on 11 September 2014), which set out the conditions under which intergroups may be established at the beginning of each parliamentary term and their operating rules.
