“The 2023 balance sheet of the directorate-general for SMEs, craft trades and commerce shows that the SME sector remains dynamic and continues to invest,” said the minister for the economy, SMEs, energy and tourism Lex Delles (DP) in a press release issued on Monday 8 July. “We are promoting an attractive environment for businesses in which they can grow and become more productive and competitive. Through concrete measures, we support the digitalisation and resilience of businesses in particular, while continuing to simplify the internal procedures of the ministry of the economy.”

Here are a few key figures from the directorate general’s presentation.

--Fewer applications for establishment permits: the number fell from 12,566 in 2022 to 11,789 last year, down on recent years and below the 2019 result. With 5,622 new establishments in 2023, the figure remains stable. There were 5,622 new establishments, including 3,645 retail businesses, 210 liberal professions and 672 craft businesses.

--Fewer invalidations for bankruptcy: the number of bankruptcies fell from 672 to 659, or a decrease of one percent.

--The number of sole proprietorships is booming: with 3,976 sole proprietorship authorisations in 2023, this represents an increase of 50% over one year. The limited liability company (SARL) remains the most commonly used form, with 5,979 applications, and the simplified limited liability company (SARL-S) follows with 2,778 applications.

--Processing time just over five days: in five years, the processing time for applications for authorisations and certificates has halved, from an average of 9.4 days to 5.05 days.

--Significant increase in aid: the amount of traditional aid (SME law, first-time establishment, Fit4Digital, SME Packages and temporary environmental impact aid) reached €28.83m last year, compared to €18.7m in 2022. Energy aid rose from €2.66m in 2022 to €8.14m last year.