Europe’s 25 million small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) represent over 99% of businesses in the EU, employ two thirds of the employees and create 85% of all new jobs. SMEs are Europe’s growth engine, but how will they fare with the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic consequences?

The EU and its Member States have taken unprecedented steps in providing grants and credit lines to SMEs but many questions remain open: are these steps enough? Is the capital reaching SMEs on time to face the current challenges? What other avenues are there for SMEs apart from the traditional banking sector? What role is there for Fintech companies providing alternative means of financing to play? What new realities will this bring for the future of SME financing in the context of the Capital Markets Union?

To find out more, join us for an interactive and virtual discussion on SME financing in Europe with the voices that matter:

• Tatyana Panova, Head of the Capital Markets Union Unit in DG FISMA, European Commission
• Ondřej Kovařík MEP (RE, CZ), Chair of the ECON working group on access to finance for SMEs
• Horst Heitz, Director General of SME Connect
• Daniel Bartsch, Chief Operating Officer and Co-founder of creditshelf

Moderated by Elie Beyrouthy, Vice President, European Government Affairs, American Express.