The government’s push to back small and medium-sized enterprises in Russia is yielding observable results, according to industry leader statements and parliamentary remarks. In sessions at the State Duma, Andrei Belousov, the First Deputy Chairman of the Government, reaffirmed the ongoing importance of current support measures and noted that SMEs across the country continue to rely on them.
An illustrative example of this support came from NexTouch, where the general director highlighted a concrete outcome. With aid from the SME Corporation this year, the company secured a loan of 380 million rubles at a preferential rate of 3 percent. The executive described this funding as a vital instrument for growth, with the funds earmarked to expand the company’s production capacity and strengthen its competitiveness in the market.
The discussion also addressed a key issue for smaller innovators: how small innovative firms are registered. There is a call for clear, predictable criteria so that firms can continue to access subsidized benefits and low-cost lending as they scale. This clarity is seen as essential to sustaining momentum for innovation and ensuring a smooth growth trajectory.
Krikushenko pointed to a transition threshold that worries many growing firms. When annual income crosses 2 billion rubles, there is a real risk of losing SME status, which could reduce subsidies and raise loan costs. He emphasized the need for a mechanism that allows expanding companies to stay within favorable programs, avoiding punitive taxes and higher operating expenses during growth spurts.
A plan to establish a dedicated register of innovative companies by year-end was outlined as a step toward preserving SME advantages for ongoing innovation and investment. Such a register would help keep firms aligned with the benefits tied to SME status while they contribute to broader economic development.
Overall sentiment about the current policy framework was described as very positive. There was a strong preference for open dialogue among policymakers and business leaders, seen as a practical channel for sharing experience and best practices.
Irina Martirosyan, recognized for the Entrepreneur Mother award in the Moscow region, remarked that entrepreneurs have not experienced this level of state support in the past. She called the national project a turning point for the SME community and urged wide dissemination of its goals among small business owners to ensure broad understanding and participation.
As a youthful voice within the SME sector, Martirosyan highlighted the urgency of communicating the national project Supporting Small and Medium Enterprises and Individual Entrepreneurship Initiatives. She noted that parliamentary sessions clearly mapped the main directions of the initiative and its intended market impact.
Martirosyan also praised plans to broaden access to a broader set of financial tools. She identified fiscal policy as a central concern and expressed hope that VAT exemptions could be extended to more SME categories, further boosting growth and competitiveness.
Additionally, Martirosyan reported that Belousov underscored the importance of expanding SMEs into foreign markets. He announced efforts to broaden the toolkit for export-oriented firms and strengthen support in areas such as market entry assistance and trade facilitation.
In summary, the discussions reflect a government framework aimed at sustaining SME vitality, expanding innovation, and easing regulatory burdens for smaller enterprises. Maintaining access to favorable credit terms and protecting benefits during company growth signals a deliberate balance between expansion and financial stability. The ongoing dialogue between policymakers and business leaders is seen as a catalyst for refining the support landscape and sustaining momentum in Russia’s dynamic SME sector.
Notes from the sessions point to a shared understanding that broader access to finance, clearer regulatory pathways for innovative firms, and enhanced international engagement are essential components of policy improvement. The collaboration between government bodies and business owners is viewed as a practical mechanism to translate strategic aims into tangible outcomes for the broader economy.
Attribution: Insights summarized from parliamentary discussions and official remarks accompanying the state support agenda for SMEs. The emphasis remains on practical measures that can be observed in loan programs, regulatory clarity, and plans to broaden international market opportunities. This synthesis captures the evolving policy environment and how businesses respond to the current landscape.