eBay warns: Complex regulatory regime hinders true global entrepreneurship

eBay Inc has today warned that complex regulatory barriers are a problem SMEs and entrepreneurs that are looking to export.

The news comes during what has been billed as 'Global Entrepreneurship Week'. 

Jody Ford, Director of SME Businesses, eBay UK says:

"E-commerce provides access to the global market.  Nine out of ten eBay businesses export to Europe and beyond, and are increasingly taking advantage of fluctuating exchange rates and geographical demand.  However significant barriers remain, often preventing these online entrepreneurs from reaching their global potential. 

"Currently, if a small business wants to sell toother EU countries, it needs to comply with as many as 27 different sets of consumer protection rules. According to the Online Business Index, eBay's barometer of online firms, 58% believe this is a barrier. The rules need to be simplified -  almost half (41%) say that simpler rules would encourage them to grow their business overseas. And 44% say they would even be prepared to accept tougher rules in exchange for a simpler, more straight forward system.

"As well as championing entrepreneurs at home, the Government needs to fight their corner in Europe, and push harder for a more harmonised set of rules."