In the first half of 2023, data from SME Corporation show a notable uptick in state-backed lending to Russia’s small and medium-sized enterprises within the information technology sector. The National Guarantee System (NGS) facilitated loans totaling 8.6 billion rubles during this period, underscoring a strong push by the government to bolster tech activities with targeted financial support. This surge reflects a broader strategy to strengthen domestic capabilities in information technology and software development, reducing exposure to external risks through a robust, state-backed lending framework.
SME Corporation, the operator of the National Guarantee System, reported that the 2023 figure marks a threefold rise from the same timeframe in 2022, when NGS-backed financing reached 2.84 billion rubles. The rapid growth illustrates how the NGS has scaled up to meet the evolving needs of technology firms, from early-stage startups to more established entities, by providing guarantees that make bank financing more accessible even when collateral may be limited or unconventional business models are in play.
Focusing on core IT activities, the segment dedicated to computer software development, consulting, and related services, categorized under OKVED 62, generated more than 8 billion rubles in the first half of 2023 with the support of NGS tools. This outcome highlights the sector’s resilience and its role as a driver of innovation, digital transformation, and employment, while demonstrating how public guarantees can unlock credit that fuels product development, service modernization, and market expansion.
Another segment within information technology, identified as OKVED 63, drew a total of 592 million rubles in the first six months of 2023 with assistance from the NGS. This amount accounted for about 9 percent of the total loans issued to SMEs in the region during that period, underscoring the important place of software services, IT consulting, and related offerings in the broader financing landscape. The distribution shows a balanced approach to supporting both core software production and complementary IT services that reinforce the sector’s overall growth trajectory.
Officials emphasize that expanding support for IT businesses remains a priority in government policy. The aim is to strengthen domestic capabilities in information technology and reduce reliance on foreign products by backing homegrown solutions. The relevance of these measures became even clearer amid recent sanctions, which prompted policymakers to double down on strategies to sustain technological autonomy and secure access to essential financial resources for IT enterprises. The emphasis on independence aligns with broader industrial strategy, encouraging firms to invest in research, development, and scalable infrastructure that can compete on global markets.
The National Guarantee System, administered by the SME Agency, assists entrepreneurs in obtaining bank financing through guarantees and sureties when collateral is scarce or insufficient. The program operates within the framework of the national project for Small and Medium Enterprises, a coordinated effort that aligns financial support with long-term economic goals. The initiative has been steered by government leadership to ensure transparency, accountability, and measurable outcomes across the SME landscape, with a focus on sustainable growth, job creation, and regional development. By providing risk-sharing tools, the NGS helps bridge credit gaps and enables firms to pursue ambitious digital initiatives that can contribute to national competitiveness, innovation, and resilience across the IT sector.