OREANDA-NEWS  On 05 March FAS Russia published press-release “Small business”.

Sergey Borisov, the President of "Opora Rossii" (an All-Russia Non-Governmental Association of Small and Medium Business), gave a speech at the extended session of the FAS Russia's Collegium, which took place in the Russian Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Russian Federation.

According to Sergey Borisov, 80% of the FAS Russia's today's work help developing small business in Russia. For instance, in 2008 the efforts undertaken by the Antimonopoly Service resulted in resolving problems in various sectors of the economy: insurance, industry, state procurement, agriculture, etc. A critical issue is connection to electric networks, which is of principal importance for small companies.

Credit availability is the most acute problem facing small companies. Small businesses also experience numerous difficulties interacting with the authorities, although the President and the Government set the goal to increase the number of people engaged in small companies and increase the share of small business in the GDP to 50%.

Last year the costs of overcoming administrative barriers lowered dramatically, including leasing expenses. FAS Russia should continue its intensive efforts on developing competition in municipal leasing and focus on the work of municipalities in general, believes Mr Borisov.

Another pressing issue is indebtedness of large companies to small business. Receiving financial support, companies should first of all settle with small businesses.

Summing up, Sergey Borisov said that the Antimonopoly Service is gaining momentum. FAS Russia is becoming more influential and, most importantly, small business feels it.