EEN opens

Enterprise Europe Network (EEN), a new European support network for business, particularly small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), has been opened, reports Silicon Republic.

The EEN includes more than 500 contact points for entrepreneurs in Europe, providing a full range of support services for SMEs and covering the whole EU territory.

The aim of the network is to offer companies a one-stop service to help them develop their potential and innovative capacity. The network involves the coming together of the existing business support community in Europe.

SMEs in the software export business may continue to enjoy income tax benefits for some more time, says Economic Times.

The prime minister's office (PMO) is expected to pitch for a special dispensation for small exporters when the tax breaks available through the Software Technology Parks of India (SPTI) scheme lapses in 2009.

The PMO is likely to ask the finance ministry to consider extending income tax sops to SMEs in software exports. It is felt the finance ministry may not be averse to a special dispensation for small exporters instead of allowing tax breaks for everyone.

Spending on IT by SMEs will be higher proportionally than the overall IT spend by companies worldwide, analyst firm IDC has predicted, says Silicon Republic.

IDC said it expects increasing alignment of technology, distribution and customer service will be a key trend throughout 2008, with a variety of evolutionary and even revolutionary changes driving opportunities.

Worldwide IT spending growth among SMEs will vary considerably by regions and will reach just over 7% in 2008, a slower rate than in 2007. However, the IT spending increases by SMEs will still be roughly 2% higher than overall IT spending increases on a worldwide basis.