EBRD/OECD report praises pace of SME policy reforms in Croatia, Serbia, Turkey

The SME Policy Index: Western Balkans and Turkey 2012 report issued on Wednesday benchmarks the region’s progress on SME development since 2009 and for the first time includes Turkey.

"Albania, Macedonia and Montenegro have implemented business-friendly policies and improved their registration systems, but need to make a greater effort to boost innovation and provide support services to both start-ups and more established firms," the report posted on the EBRD's website said.

Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo still need to develop an overarching policy framework for supporting SMEs and developing skills, to ensure better cooperation between the state and local governments and to reduce dependence on
donor assistance, it said.

The index uses 108 policy indicators for identifying strengths and weaknesses in policy design and implementation; compare experiences and performance; set priorities; and measure convergence towards implementation of the policy principles promoted by the Small Business Act for Europe.