Focus on Small Business
On June 9, the Russian government adopted the Strategy of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Development until 2030. In the short term, the program promises maximum reduction of administrative barriers, development of new niche markets, and introduction of effective instruments of government support. The successful implementation of these plans depends on the creation of a favorable environment for business at the interregional level. The avenues of finding common ground and possible cooperation of regional companies from Russia and other countries will be discussed at the second Forum for Small Businesses from the regions of SCO and BRICS member-states, which will again take place in Ufa this year.
The
first Forum was held in October 2015 and became an effective integration
platform of economic cooperation between business entities, as well as
business and regional authorities of the participating SCO and BRICS
member-states. Its various events brought together more than 1,500
delegates from 18 countries and 51 Russian regions. On the last day of
the forum, the participants adopted a resolution that included a
proposal to accelerate the development of small and medium-sized
regional businesses in SCO and BRICS countries and enhance the prestige
of entrepreneurship.
According to forum delegates, during the first stage, it is important to take measures to simplify foreign trade regulations and reducing the number of administrative procedures and excessive regulatory pressure on businesses involved in international trade. These and other suggestions were studied by all relevant state agencies that supervise the work of small and medium-sized businesses, and the most valuable recommendations were included in the Strategy of development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) for the period till 2030.
Such a resolution will also be adopted based on results of the second Forum for Small Businesses from the regions of SCO and BRICS member-states, which will be held in Ufa from 30 November to 2 December 2016. The idea of holding a second Forum was welcomed by the head of the government, Dmitri Medvedev, who mandated the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Economic Development, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation, and the SME Development Corporation to provide practical support to the Forum.
The event is organized by the government of the Republic of Bashkortostan, the State Committee of the Republic of Bashkortostan on Entrepreneurship and Tourism, and the Chamber of Commerce of the Republic of Bashkortostan. According to Azat Fazlyev, president of the Chamber of Commerce of the Republic of Bashkortostan, one of the objectives of the forum is to find the best ways to support small and medium businesses.
OPINION
Oleg Fomichev, State Secretary - Deputy Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation
The participants of the first Forum for Small Businesses from the regions of SCO and BRICS member-states worked very fruitfully; every proposal made was substantive in nature. The key recommendations of the final resolution were included in the Strategy of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Development until 2030.
Sergey Kanavsky, Executive Secretary of the SCO Business Council
Today, there is a possibility to combine the achievements, to learn and exchange information within small and medium businesses around the world. The Forum can be used very effectively for this purpose. It shows how businesses in various countries can fit together in order to support national initiatives and the development of the SCO countries.
Dmitry Sharonov, Deputy Prime Minister of the Government of the Republic of Bashkortostan
The first Forum for Small Businesses from regions of SCO and BRICS member-states gave a powerful impetus to future fundamental changes. I am sure that its results will have a positive effect on the entrepreneurs of all Russian regions.
“The implementation of the strategy by 2030 should double the share of small business in Russia’s GDP, double the productivity in this sector, and double the share of small business exports in the overall Russian exports,” says Azat Fazlyev. “To achieve such indicators, it is important to not only follow the intended path, but also – should the situation in the country and in the world change – improve certain areas. The Forum is an ideal platform to showcase best practices, find solutions to urgent problems in the sector, and develop the next steps, which will determine the future of small business.”
It is expected that the Second Forum will attract more than 700 people from foreign countries and more than 30 Russian regions. Among them will be the heads of regions of SCO and BRICS member-states, experts and business leaders, and representatives of relevant ministries, as well as small, medium, and large businesses. They will discuss such issues as the strengthening of inter-regional cooperation with partners from SCO and BRICS countries, financial and infrastructure support for small and medium-sized businesses, and demand stimulation in different industries.
A significant part of the Forum will be
devoted to the prospects for increasing non-oil exports, agricultural
development, franchising, and youth entrepreneurship support.
Furthermore, the participants will evaluate the role of small businesses
in innovative, knowledge-intensive, and import-substituting industries,
as well as the factors affecting the creation of a favorable investment
climate in the country and in the specific regions. The discussions of
entrepreneurs with representatives of various authorities aiming to
overcome the administrative barriers to the development of small
businesses will undoubtedly have a positive effect.
