COSME: Development and Improvement of Competitiveness of Ukrainian Enterprises in the EU Markets

Abstract

The article is concerned with coverage of current aspects of the economic European integration of Ukrainian enterprises, namely research and substantiation of problematic moments of increasing the competitiveness of small and medium-sized businesses in the EU markets. The article is focused on the COSME program, which is directed towards formation of adequate conditions for the development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), exchange of experience, expansion of trade and economic relations, formation of a high culture of doing business according to the best world practices. Directions of the work program of SMEs for national enterprises in 2018 have been generalized, such as: facilitating entry into international markets; improving conditions for competitiveness; formation of the culture of entrepreneurship. Along with this, the COSME subprograms (especially Enterprise Europe Network) focus on facilitating access to financing, facilitating enterprises’ access to new markets, creating an environment conducive to competitiveness, promoting development of the entrepreneurial culture. As a result, unique opportunities of COSME program for Ukrainian business providing help for development and maximal use of the own potential are substantiated. Ukraine’s participation in this program is an important component of the State policy of supporting enterprises.

Keywords

• competitiveness
• small and medium-sized enterprises
• European integration
• business support programs
• COSME