European SMEs' confidence declined for the fourth
semester in a row as a downturn due to a sluggish internal demand is feeding
through all Member States, according to a survey conducted by UEAPME, the
European craft and SME employers' organisation, and its members.
All economic indicators declined further in the second
half of 2012, with the recession striking SMEs even beyond their already
negative expectations.Smaller enterprises in the sectors most reliant on
internal demand, such as services and construction, were the hardest hit.
European SMEs predict a stable negative situation also for the first half of
2013.
Confirming a long-standing trend in the survey,
medium-sized enterprises' performance was superior, although still negative at
-4.7. These data show that the current recession is caused by internal demand
problems, which struck smaller SMEs in the services and construction sectors
harder than medium-sized SMEs more active in manufacturing and more exposed to
external shocks.
With no expectations of a real recovery, the outlook
is very gloomy", said Gerhard Huemer, Director of the UEAPME Study Unit, which
issues the "Craft and SME Barometer" prior to the EU summits in spring and
autumn.
Prices also reached their lowest level since 2009, a
clear sign of the downward pressure applied by the crisis.
For the first half of 2013, SMEs anticipate a stabilised
negative situation. For the second half, expectations are subdued, particularly
on turnover and on investments.
Against this background, UEAPME called on policymakers
to stabilise financial markets, implement structural reforms and support
growth. Finally, on the ongoing fiscal consolidation, UEAPME recommended
allowing "automatic stabilisers" to come into play in the short run to avoid a
further economic contraction and more negative effects on consumption.
24 April 2026
The Malta Chamber of SMEs, in collaboration with Transport Malta, organised the second educational session...
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Thanks to EU funding, the Malta Chamber of SMEs organised another free specialised training session...
22 April 2026
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The Malta Chamber of SMEs represents over 7,000 members from over 90 different sectors which in their majority are either small or medium sized companies, and such issues like the one we're experiencing right now, it's important to be united. Malta Chamber of SMEs offers a number of different services tailored to its members' individual requirements' and necessities. These range from general services offered to all members to more individual & bespoke services catered for specific requirements.
A membership with Malta Chamber of SMEs will guarantee that you are constantly updated and informed with different opportunities which will directly benefit your business and help you grow. It also entails you to a number of services which in their majority are free of charge and offered exclusively to its members (in their majority all free of charge).
