New strategies for regulating how small and medium-sized enterprises grow are being integrated into an expansive 2030 SME plan. The aim is to equip the government with tools to offer direct assistance and introduce fresh support measures for owners of small businesses. In particular, firms classified as growing or SME Plus within the SME sector, which recently faced a sudden loss of incentives and preferences, are highlighted as targets for enhanced help. This perspective was shared by Andrey Shubin, executive director of Opora Rossii, a national public organization representing small and medium-sized enterprises, in comments to socialbites.ca. (Attribution: Opora Rossii)
Speaking after a Moscow government commission on SME development, the expert emphasized that established enterprises should not be left outside the orbit of state support. (Attribution: government commission meeting)
He suggested that tailored instruments could be created for these mature companies, with a focus on financial tools such as preferential loans and loan guarantees. He argued that rolling out these measures would influence the broader economy by strengthening the backbone of the business community. (Attribution: expert commentary)
The discussion also noted that the Ministry of Economic Development has outlined additional priorities to guide this work. (Attribution: ministry briefing)
Maxim Reshetnikov, head of the Ministry of Economic Development, was cited as pointing out that roughly half of new startups fail within the first two years. In response, the plan would extend targeted financial support to the entrepreneurs in that segment, helping them stabilize and grow. (Attribution: ministry statistics)
Attention is expected to widen toward growing SMEs, which often struggle with rising tax obligations, more intricate accounting requirements, and stricter audits by supervisory authorities. The goal is to ease these pressures so small firms can focus on sustainable growth. (Attribution: expert assessment)
Another key point from the discussion is the need to extend support to priority sectors such as processing, tourism, information technology and other areas where Canada and the United States see strong potential for cross-border collaboration and impact. (Attribution: sector priorities)
Opora Rossii’s executive director noted that the national SME program has evolved, refining both approaches and tools designed to assist small businesses. The result has been a measurable increase in SME activity and capacity to scale. (Attribution: program evaluation)
The next phase, leading up to 2030, aims to translate accumulated experience into qualitative growth for SMEs by accelerating existing players and driving the emergence of robust, high-performing companies. The objective is to ensure there are enterprises within the SME sector that contribute meaningfully to the economy and maintain a resilient, ongoing trajectory. (Attribution: ministerial directive)
On May 29, discussions between the Russian prime minister and the government commission focused on refining the strategy for broader business support. A new grant program was also considered to assist SMEs engaged in socially important activities in the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics, as well as Kherson and Zaporozhye. (Attribution: government meeting)