Vladimir Evlanov: In the context of crises small and medium-sized businesses of Krasnodar continues to grow

During today’s plenary session held within the framework of small and medium-sized businesses forum in Exhibition and Congress Center “Expograd Yug” Head of the capital of Kuban spoke on “Small and medium-sized businesses (SMB) development strategy: what depends on a region?”

— In the past year despite of all economic challenges the small businesses of Krasnodar maintained positive dynamics: the number of small and medium-sized business entities has increased by 4%, number of workers engaged in the sector increased by 1,5% and the turnover grown by more than 10%. In Krasnodar over 40% turnover of all economic branches falls at small and medium-sized businesses, almost every second resident of Krasnodar work in this sector. In the context of challenging economic situation the following steps in the development of small and medium-sized businesses largely depend on the policy of federal and local authorities, business climate in the region. I hope the ideas raised today will be realized in certain decisions and will contribute to the development of small businesses, — Vladimir Evlanov said.

The discussion was held in the conference-hall of ECC “Expograd Yug”. It was led by CEO and Editor-in-Chief of “Expert-Yug” magazine Vladimir Kozlov. He began by referring to “The strategy of small and medium-sized businesses development until 2030” which had been worked out by the Russian Federation Ministry of Economic Development in October 2015 and then, after amendments, was submitted to the RF President in February 2016.  

— This major federal document has not been adopted by now but it is giving us an understanding of how things will go. There is a perception that SMB is a sector which is in need of encouragement and support. However the Strategy includes some other ideology – small and medium-sized business serves as the growth point, the sphere which for the long run can grow in all directions. If we take this scenario it is required to review the whole system of support for business, adjust it in some aspects. For example, one of the key indicators of the Strategy — the proportion of the working-age population engaged in SMB – we should bring it to 35%. Now throughout Krasnodar Region the indicator reaches 15%. This means that very challenging goals are set in the Strategy and now there is the lack of understanding how to reach them at the regional level. During today’s meeting we will talk on what it is required to make small and medium-sized businesses to be the growing point, — Vladimir Evlanov said.

Nearly 10 speakers expressed their opinions and gave estimates to the discussed topic. They are Deputy Minister of Economic Development of Krasnodar Region administration Andrey Milanovich, Deputy Head of the department of investments, small and medium-sized businesses development of Krasnodar Region administration Julia Samsonova, Chairwoman of Krasnodar regional branch of All-Russian non-governmental organization for small and medium-sized businesses “OPORA RUSSIA” Daniel Bashmakov.