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Final
report of the Expert Group on enterprise clusters and networks
The project on enterprise
clusters and networks was launched by Enterprise Directorate-General
in spring 2002 within the framework of the Multiannual programme
for enterprise entrepreneurship. It follows on the European Charter
for Small Enterprises.
It was carried out with the help of group of national experts from
thirteen EU Member States, eleven Candidate Countries and two EFTA/EEA
Countries. The views expressed in this report represent the opinion
of the expert group members.
The study attempts to give an answer to questions as to what extent
clusters and networks do really offer a favourable framework for
enhancing the productivity, the innovation and the competitiveness
of SMEs. Could clusters be one way to achieve the Lisbon Summit
goal of making Europe the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based
economy in the world by 2010?
It then identifies how EU Member States, Candidate Countries, EFTA/EEA
Countries and the European Commission take into account clusters
and networks in their national, regional,local and EU policies.
This study also creates the opportunity to present as models a number
of examples that have been selected by the national experts as «
good practices » cases for their respective countries.
Finally, since the focus of this report is on policy issues, it
proposes possible future activities aiming to support cluster development.
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