The conference on European small and medium sized enterprises in the defence sector will be organized by the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of National Economy. The EU Presidency event will be held at Stefánia Palace Cultural Centre, Budapest on April 5.

In December, 2007 the European Commission adopted the Defence Package which consists of a Communication and two legislative proposals. The whole Defence Package aims to strengthen the European defence industry and encourages a more European approach to business cooperation in the currently segmented national defence markets. It also contains numerous proposals for the support of Small and Medium sized Enterprises. (SMEs)

SMEs acting in the defence sector still face significant problems. They lack information on business and clustering opportunities and experience difficulties to make primary defence companies and customers aware of their products and services.

In a follow-up to the Defence Package, it was agreed to explore concrete ways to support the SMEs through a study and a series of conferences. The participants could discuss ideas developed by the Commission and the European Defence Agency.

At this conference experts talk about the results, exchange views on the implementation processes and raise questions about the national adaptation problems.

The conference, an event of the Hungarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, will be opened by Mr Gábor Márki, Deputy State Secretary for Defence Economy MoD. Among the keynote speakers will be Mr Peter Scaruppe, Industry and Market Director of EDA and Mr Antonio di Blasi, External Affairs, Equipment & SME Director of ASD.

(Ministry of Defence, Press Office)