Business owners are sometimes an older generation and one third of them - approximately 690 000 companies and 2.8 million new jobs - will retire in the upcoming years.

This leaves many companies that need new owners. In order to simplify the transfer it will be easier for potential buyers and sellers to find each other by offering impartial services.

In order to improve the conditions of transfer of ownership, the European Commission has recommended various measures to the authorities in EU countries.

Access to the information required for change of ownership requires more funding than to start a business. Loans, guarantees and equipment should be available not only to start new businesses, but also for taking over existing ones.

The owners need to become better informed about combining debt and equity - especially suited for business transfers. New owners need a transition period to get to know the business.

When a company will establish on a foreign market it requires some knowledge of the international market, and demand of products. Many feel uncertain about this, and the demand for taking over companies is high since many retire or want to move forward.

Everything will already be in place and to create awareness of the new company can become a successful investment. To then have your own business ideas how it can succeed even better is also a contributing factor. In these times when many feel uncertain about the future and not dare to move their own operations further, there is always the possibility of taking over existing companies.

                                                                                    Cecilia Helland