A new European Commission survey shows that 25% of EU 27 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) export or have exported at some point during the last 3 years. Internationally active SMEs report an employment growth of 7% whereas the figure stood at 1% for those without any international activities. There is also a strong relationship between internationalisation and innovation. 26% of internationally active SMEs introduced products or services that were new for their sector in their country, whereas for other small businesses this is only 8%. The highest percentage of internationalised SMEs is found in the wholesale trade, mining, manufacturing and sale of motor vehicles. Within services, the sector research scores very highly. Sectors of activity with the highest share of exporting SMEs are mining (58%), manufacturing (56%), the wholesale trade (54%), research (54%), sales of motor vehicles (53%), renting (39%) and transport and communication (39%).