´The private sector is the one moving the economy forward – but policy makers are those creating a favourable environment for its development. This is why as a MEP I will push forward legislative reforms aimed at removing barriers that hamper innovation. We must enable business to produce the growth we seek”, stated Eva Paunova, MEP, during a conference entitled “Reinvigorating the European Economy”, which took place on the 11th of December in Brussels. The event organised by the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) included speakers like the Vice-President of the European Commission Valdis Dombrovskis, as well as entrepreneurs and representatives of the private sector.
During the panel “The secret to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship”, Eva Paunova stressed that Europe needs changes in terms of lowering the administrative burden and expanding the access to finance. “In the basis of all, however, is the development of the individual potential and the human capital. This is why it is crucial to invest in education”, added the Bulgarian Member of the European Parliament. According to her statement, education and training need to be flexible and practical, embracing innovative approaches and the use of new technologies. “For instance, instead of complaining that mobile devices are a cause of distraction for pupils and students, why not integrate them as tools for the learning process? This is just one example of how we can adapt to the fast-moving environment we operate in nowadays.”
Eva Paunova concluded by stating: ´The secret to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship? It is in every one of us. We need to nurture the individual potential through innovative practices”. The Bulgarian Member of European Parliament also pointed out that successful young entrepreneurs should be given greater visibility, as this can encourage other young people to realise their ideas. The JA-YE and AmCham EU Youth Entrepreneurship Award provides a good illustration of how this can be achieved. Ms Paunova, who was member of the jury for the competition, granted the award to the winner Pynk Systems. This start-up, which received a 10 000 EUR prize, was awarded for its project Ergon Desk, which demonstrates how traditional business industries, such as furniture manufacture, can be digitalised. More information available here: http://www.pynksystems.com/.
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