At a government meeting, the minister of economic development outlined four priority areas to support the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Russia. The discussion was led by the prime minister as part of a broader government commission focused on advancing the SME sector. The minister’s remarks align with a formal Information release that groups SMEs into four categories that warrant targeted assistance: start-ups, growing firms, businesses in priority industries, and an extended category known as SME+. The priorities were shaped by analysis of data from the national initiative focused on backing small and medium enterprises and individual entrepreneurship initiatives.
The four priority categories aim to channel tailored support to different stages of business development. For start-ups, the plan emphasizes accessibility to established support mechanisms such as regional guarantee organizations, grants, and concessional microloans. The new approach intends to confine these measures to start-ups, ensuring quicker access and better alignment with early-stage needs. Additionally, the idea is to create competence centers for newcomers—to be hosted at digital platforms, across SME services, and within business centers—to foster practical know-how and mentorship at the outset of enterprise life.
For growing companies, the minister highlighted the burdens associated with complex reporting requirements and taxation. The strategy envisions simplifying these processes and offering targeted relief where possible, to reduce administrative friction and support sustainable expansion. When it comes to enterprises operating within priority sectors, the focus shifts to providing soft loans, umbrella guarantees, and clearing tools, alongside the development of essential production infrastructure to sustain long-term competitiveness.
In the SME+ category, the plan proposes expanding financial instruments to encourage resilience and scale. These could include preferential lending terms, expanded guarantees, and other risk-mitigating tools designed to bridge growth gaps that standard SME programs may not fully cover. The overarching goal is to build a robust ecosystem that helps firms move through critical milestones without being hindered by financing or regulatory barriers.
Deputy minister Tatyana Ilyushnikova, who oversees the SME sector, indicated that the current national project will be replaced with a new enterprise initiative. Authorities are actively working on the transition, with plans to finalize the framework by year-end. The transition signals a shift toward a more integrated and flexible program structure that can adapt to evolving market conditions and the feedback from regional partners. The leadership stressed the importance of aligning support with concrete, outcome-driven targets, ensuring that resources reach the most impactful activities and enterprises at the right times.