Prof. Dr. Friederike Welter once again on the SME Advisory Board
Federal Minister of Economics Katherina Reiche has reappointed Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Friederike Welter once again as a member of the Advisory Board for Issues relating to Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises and the Liberal Professions (SME Advisory Board) to the Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE). Prof. Dr. Friederike Welter is President of the Institute for SME Research (IfM) Bonn and holds the professorship for the Management of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises and Entrepreneurship at the University of Siegen. She conducts research in the field of SMEs and entrepreneurship.
The SME Advisory Board, which meets twice a year, deals with the situation of SMEs and their prospects. It advises the Federal Minister on current challenges, particularly with regard to future innovation and competitiveness in the constantly changing international environment. It also analyzes the impact of current economic policy measures on the economic situation of small and medium-sized enterprises.
Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy Katherina Reiche: "SMEs are the backbone and engine of our social market economy - and they are ready for a new upswing. My ambition is clear: we want better conditions for those who drive this country forward every day. The SME Advisory Board provides valuable practical perspectives on this and thus remains a strong and indispensable voice for more than three million companies in Germany."
The SME Advisory Board has a long tradition - its first meeting took place in 1956 under the chairmanship of the then Federal Minister of Economics Ludwig Erhard. Since then, the SME Advisory Council has advised the respective Federal Minister of Economics on all economic policy issues relevant to SMEs. The SME Advisory Council in the 21st legislative period comprises 32 entrepreneurs. The panel is completed by two renowned academics from SME research: Prof. Michael Hüther (Director of the German Economic Institute in Cologne) and Prof. Friederike Welter, as well as the CEO of KfW Stefan Wintels as an expert in SME financing.
