A visit to Brussels by representatives of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Katowice: the voice of Polish entrepreneurs at the heart of the European debate on the future of SMEs and Europe’s defense.
Tomasz Zjawiony, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Katowice, and Marlena Miąsko, Vice President, on 10-12.04.2025 paid an official visit to Brussels, where, as long-standing partners of European Entrepreneurs CEA-PME, they represented the voice of Polish entrepreneurs in a top-level debate on the future of the European small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) sector in the context of defense and geopolitical challenges. The meetings were held at the headquarters of European Entrepreneurs CEA-PME, the largest confederation of SMEs and mid-caps in Europe.
– SMEs are not only the backbone of the European economy, but also the engine of innovation and a key element of strategic resilience in the defense sector. Involving them in EU defense planning and implementation is not an option – it is a necessity. As the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Katowice, we not only support, but also actively represent the interests of our companies at the European level, ensuring that their voice is heard where key decisions are made – stressed President Tomasz Zjawiony after the meeting.
One of the key points of the visit was a meeting with Andrius Kubilius – European Union Commissioner for Defense, with whom the impact of the ReArm Europe plan on the SME sector was discussed. The European Commission’s initiative aims to strengthen the EU’s defense capabilities in the face of the deepening Russian threat and growing geopolitical instability on the Community’s eastern flank. At the center of the discussion was the question of how to effectively and responsibly involve SMEs in the process of implementing this strategy without jeopardizing their competitiveness and development capabilities.
ReArm Europe – an opportunity and a challenge for the SME sector
The ReArm Europe plan to increase investment in the defense industry of member states also involves mobilizing industrial, innovative and technological resources. A key aspect of the talks was the need to create conditions that will enable SMEs not only to survive, but also to grow in the new strategic environment.
Vice President of the RIG in Katowice, Marlena Miąsko pointed out the potential risks for Polish companies in the absence of a coordinated EU approach:
– Europe cannot afford a situation in which small and medium-sized companies are excluded from decision-making and implementation processes. We need a strategy that supports, not burdens, our businesses – especially in the context of the current geopolitical turmoil and economic pressures facing the SME sector across Europe today.
Also participating in the talks was Peter Lieber – President of the Austrian Economic Association ÖGV – who stressed that:
– The Commission’s reasonable, albeit ambitious, goal of securing the EU’s defense capabilities through its own efforts can only be achieved with the participation of SMEs, which are key suppliers to the defense industry. Their early involvement in strategic planning is therefore crucial.
The Voice of the European SME Community: A Manifesto for Europe
During the visit, Stefan Moritz – Secretary General of European Entrepreneurs CEA-PME presented the EU Commissioner with a specially prepared Manifesto for European SMEs, representing the voice of the organization’s 2.5 million member entrepreneurs. The document indicates the sector’s specific expectations from EU policy makers, focusing on:
– strengthening the position of SMEs in defense supply chains,
– increasing access to innovation financing,
– simplifying EU regulations and reducing administrative barriers,
– developing technological interoperability based on common standards, including the proposed implementation of NAFv4 as a common basis for EU defense planning.
Polish representation getting stronger in European structures
The visit to Brussels is a continuation of the long-standing involvement of the RIG in Katowice in the structures of CEA-PME, which for years has been an effective platform for dialogue between entrepreneurs and EU decision-makers.
Their activity has a measurable impact on the perception of Polish companies in the European forum – both in terms of content and organization. Polish companies, thanks to the Chamber’s support, are increasingly involved in international consortia, R&D programs and green and digital transformation initiatives.
Delegates also had the opportunity to talk to Representatives of the Polish Presidency about the assumptions of the so-called Late Payment, which has an extremely negative impact on the liquidity of the SME sector. Therefore, we are glad that the Polish representation also took up this topic in Brussels.
Conclusions and perspectives
In the face of rapid geopolitical changes and new threats to the security of the community, the European Union is faced with the task of redefining its defense policy – not only in military terms, but also in economic terms. Involving small and medium-sized companies in these processes is a prerequisite for maintaining the EU’s technological sovereignty, innovation and strategic resilience.
The RIG in Katowice, is a bridge between small and medium-sized enterprises and large companies in Central Europe. The Chamber conducts dialogue and emphasizes the importance of a common voice of entrepreneurs, but also actively participates in formulating it.
As President Tomasz Zjawiony summarized:
– It is the bold decisions taken today, in Brussels, that will determine the strength of the European economy tomorrow. Our task – as leaders of economic organizations – is to ensure that this future is built with the participation of all – not just the largest players.
Discussions on the future of the Polish and European economies will continue at the Industry in Transition INTO and ECSME Congresses – international events organized by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Katowice this year.