Modernisation of European Enterprise and Trade Statistics, MEETS Programme 2009-2013

PURPOSE: to establish a programme for the Modernisation of European Enterprise and Trade Statistics (the "MEETS Programme").

LEGISLATIVE ACT: Decision No 1297/2008/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on a Programme for the Modernisation of European Enterprise and Trade Statistics (MEETS).

CONTENT: having reached agreement with the Parliament at first reading, the Council adopted a Decision establishing a programme for the modernisation of European enterprise and trade statistics (MEETS).

The programme will commence on 1 January 2009 and end on 31 December 2013.

The general objectives of the MEETS Programme are as follows:

• to review priorities and develop target sets of indicators for new areas (objective 1);
• to achieve a streamlined framework for business-related statistics (objective 2);
• to support the implementation of a more efficient way of producing enterprise and trade statistics (objective 3);
• to modernise the data collection system on trade in goods between Member States (objective 4).

The Commission shall submit to the European Parliament and the Council:

• by 31 December 2010, and thereafter on an annual basis until 2013, a report on the implementation of the MEETS Programme;
• by 31 July 2014, a final report on the implementation of the MEETS Programme. That report shall assess, in the light of the expenditure incurred by the Community, the benefits of the actions accruing to the Community, the Member States and providers and users of statistical information, to identify areas for potential improvement.

The financial envelope for the implementation of the MEETS Programme for the period 2009‑2013 is set at EUR 42 500 000.

ENTRY INTO FORCE: 08/01/2009.