In presenting the survey, Tajani said that European SMEs are still largely focused on domestic markets and have failed to seize the opportunities created by the single market and globalisation.
"It's important for our smaller businesses to improve their performance in cross-border and international trade transactions in order to reinforce growth, enhance competitiveness and support the long-term sustainability of companies," Tajani said.
The survey found that those SMEs that trade internationally create more jobs than those producing exclusively for their home market, and that they are more innovative. Sluggish growth within the EU has reinforced the imperative of helping EU firms expand into new markets, says the Commission.