Rustam Minnikhanov: serious projects in the sphere of entrepreneurship cannot be realized without federal and regional support

Issues of entrepreneurship support and creation of special infrastructure for development of small and medium-size business were discussed at a meeting with participation of Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov, Deputy chairman of State corporation “Bank for development and foreign economic activity” (Vnesheconombank) Mikhail Kopeikin, Director of Department for small and medium-size entrepreneurship of RF Ministry of economic development Natalia Larionova.

A meeting themed “General standards of creation and management of industrial parks and formation of special entrepreneurship programs by the State corporation “Bank for development and foreign economic activity (Vnesheconombank)" and JSC "SME Bank" was held on the territory of technopolis “Himgrad” (Kazan) on December 12.

Addressing attendees of the meeting Rustam Minnikhanov said today serious projects in the sphere of entrepreneurship cannot be realized without federal and regional support.

Being one of Russian regions Tatarstan has enough experience in the sphere of development and support of small and medium-size business, in particular, creation of special sites for entrepreneurship, Rustam Minnikhanov marked. He believes creation of such infrastructure (technopolises, technoparks, business incubators) is so popular among businessmen. Rustam Minnikhanov cited high technology park “IT-park”, Kama industrial park “Master” and technopark “Idea” as a good example of interaction between state (creation of infrastructure) and business (resident companies).

Rustam Minnikhanov informed currently the share of small and medium-size entrepreneurship in GRP makes 24,6 % in Tatarstan,. According to RT President this number can be increased in petrochemistry, oil processing, mechanical engineering and other spheres.

Speaking about one more industrial platform – special economic zone “Alabuga” Rustam Minnikhanov said there are now 20 residents. In the nearest three years planned investment in SEZ “Alabuga” will make 70 bln roubles.

Financial investments of the state in creation of infrastructure for development of business and entrepreneurship bring results, Rustam Minnikhanov stated. By his words Tatarstan experience can be used in other regions as well.

Deputy chairman of State corporation “Bank for development and foreign economic activity” (Vnesheconombank) Mikhail Kopeikin told about mechanisms of support of projects on developing territorial industrial clusters by Vnesheconombank. He informed about serious plans of the bank on financing high-tech projects in the sphere of auto production, chemistry and petrochemistry, oil processing, etc. All these projects should be aimed at modernization or development of high-tech sector. The bank also offers major program on supporting small and medium-size entrepreneurship.

According to Mikhail Kopeikin Tatarstan is the leading region in terms of entrepreneurship development and gaining of financial support for realization of projects in this sphere. “We consider Tatarstan as the site for implementing pilot projects including funding models of projects on cluster development”, Mikhail Kopeikin said.

Chairman of technopolis “Himgrad” Board Albert Karimov, Director-general of KIP “Master” Maksim Steblov, Director of GAU “High technology park IT-park” Dinar Nasyrov told about organization of infrastructure for entrepreneurship support in Tatarstan and payoff from projects.

Director of Department for small and medium-size entrepreneurship of RF Ministry of economic development Natalia Larionova told about realization of state financial program of supporting small and medium-size entrepreneurship in terms of supporting industrial parks and centres of cluster development.

Summing up, Tatarstan President offered RF Ministry of economic development and Vnesheconombank to consider opportunity of expanding state support of entrepreneurship.

Rustam Minnikhanov believes today it is up to the state to create infrastructure for entrepreneurship, thus rendering real support for small and medium-size business.