Rustam Minnikhanov: Entrepreneurs have always been and remain an active and initiative part of the population
Entrepreneurs have always been and remain an active and proactive part of the population. This was stated by the Head of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov at a meeting with the business community of the republic today. The meeting was held in Kazan at the Entrepreneur's House.
Rustam Minnikhanov congratulated the participants of the meeting on the Day of Russian Entrepreneurship. "During the period of global changes, you showed a grip and perseverance, saved jobs, thereby making a huge contribution to the preservation of social stability of society," he stressed.
The Head of the Republic of Tatarstan noted that consistent work is being carried out in the republic to create favorable conditions for the development of entrepreneurial initiative. A set of federal and republican support measures is being implemented, including preferential loans, subsidies, microloans and guarantees, grant support programs for start-up entrepreneurs, as well as free services for the development of their own business.
Today, about 100 industrial parks operate in Tatarstan, where 1.5 thousand residents operate. Over 57 thousand jobs have been created. However, the average occupancy of industrial parks is 56%. "This is not enough yet. We have invested quite a lot of money in the infrastructure. We need professional managers. Working with investors is not an easy task. We should train the appropriate specialists. Industrial parks should be loaded. This is our huge reserve in the development of SMEs," the Head of the republic is sure.
Separately, he noted the systematic work in the republic to reduce administrative pressure on business. The extension of the moratorium on routine inspections had a significant effect. So, since 2020, the number of unscheduled inspections has decreased by 7 times.
Rustam Minnikhanov drew attention to the fact that Tatarstan was one of the first Russian regions to adopt its own program for the development of the e-commerce industry. Within its framework, systematic work is being carried out to train entrepreneurs, which gives positive results. According to the results of last year, the number of Tatarstan entrepreneurs who trade through marketplaces doubled and reached 45 thousand. This year, this figure has reached 49 thousand. In 2022, they sold goods worth more than 50 billion rubles.
The Head of Tatarstan noted that in the conditions of violation of traditional logistics and production chains, the republic is actively involved in solving the tasks of providing Tatarstan enterprises with raw materials and components, as well as delivering finished products to partners.
"Tatarstan entrepreneurs have always been famous for their willingness to help the disadvantaged and who is in need. The traditions of Tatarstan merchants and industrialists are continued today by thousands of entrepreneurs of the republic. This was especially evident with the beginning of a special military operation. I want to express my sincere gratitude to you. You are doing a big and very important thing," Rustam Minnikhanov addressed business representatives.
Then the participants of the meeting talked about the implementation of their business projects, the use of various support measures, the experience of entering foreign markets, and also voiced a number of proposals.
The director of the management company of industrial parks in Naberezhnye Chelny, Nizhnekamsk and Mendeleevsk asked to expand the terms of the program of preferential lending "Industrial Mortgage". Rustam Minnikhanov noted that the republic has already initiated amendments to this program. It is planned to voice these issues at the next meeting of the Prime Minister of the Russian Federation with business representatives. "We need to be more actively involved in the "Industrial Mortgage". It would be a serious support," he said.
The head of the factory for the production of willow vine furniture noted the lack of masters of folk art craft. Rustam Minnikhanov stressed that Tatarstan pays special attention to the issue of personnel training in this area. "What you are saying is that we are ready to get involved in this. It should be a dual education: they have to study and work. This topic should be treated very carefully. We have already lost many crafts. They need to be restored, masters are needed for this," said the Head of Tatarstan and recalled plans to open a specialized Center of trade and crafts in Kazan.
Special attention was paid at the meeting to the development of the Halal segment. Tatarstan producers of cheese, honey, clothing and cosmetics told about their products and plans to enter the markets of the Islamic world.
State Duma Deputy Alfiya Kogogina, in turn, spoke about the ongoing work on the development of entrepreneurial initiative and legislative support for state measures to support SMEs.
At the end of the meeting, Rustam Minnikhanov noted the importance of such meetings and assured that the republic will always support local business. "We should meet and talk about problems, raise issues of concern to the business community. We have a lot of unresolved issues, a lot of problems. If we do not consider them, there will be no movement forward," the Head of Tatarstan added.