The Commissioner for the Protection of the Rights of Entrepreneurs in the Moscow Region Vladimir Golovnev along with the President of the Federal "SUPPORT OF RUSSIA" Alexander Kalinin, Chairman of the Moscow branch of "SUPPORT OF RUSSIA" Vladislav Korochkin and Yaroslavl Business Ombudsman Alfir Bakirov, held an interregional meeting on March 31 on issues of support for Russian producers and organizations under sanctions.

The participants of the meeting discussed existing measures to support small and medium-sized businesses in Russia and in the Moscow Region, exchanged practices in implementing legislation on business support in the regions and considered proposals formed by the business community of the Moscow Region aimed at supporting business during the period of sanctions pressure.

As Alexander Kalinin noted, the Moscow Region is one of the most developed and densely populated subjects of the Russian Federation, which distinguishes it from other regions.

"The first is a small manufacturing business. The large number of  industrial parks, technoparks, and special economic zones have been created in the Moscow Region for many years. This is a systematic and daily work. Plus, both gas and electricity have been supplied to the facilities at the expense of the regional budget, and considerable preferences have been given. The second is consumer cooperation, and here we need new logistics for small producers. Third, the Microfinance Fund in the region is one of the largest in the country, and the region provides micro–business with quite a macro–means," Kalinin stressed.

Indeed, two new programs of the Foundation have been operating in the Moscow Region since April 1. Entrepreneurs, implementing projects in the field of import substitution, can take out a loan of up to 5 million rubles at a rate of 5% per annum for up to 3 years. The second program – 5 million rubles at a rate of 14% per annum for up to 3 years – is designed to ensure that the entrepreneur will be able to use the money to repay more expensive loans received from banks. This will reduce the total debt burden on the business.

Nevertheless, the Moscow Business Ombudsman noted that the number of incoming appeals for the first quarter of 2022 increased.

"At the end of March, more than 650 appeals were received from Moscow Region entrepreneurs. And this is without taking into account the consultations and calls. In addition to issues related to the current situation in the country, complaints continue to be received about the actions of law enforcement agencies – 19.7%, in the field of land and property relations - 19.7%, administrative barriers – 18.3%, the organization of passenger transportation by passenger transport (taxi), as well as problems of the organization of road traffic – 16.9%, non-stationary trade -again cases of illegal exclusion of entrepreneurs from city placement schemes have become more frequent- by 9.9%. In terms of control and supervisory activities (inspections), the number of appeals is 8.5%, which indicates that the moratorium on scheduled inspections is in effect," Vladimir Golovnev said.

"Of the 197 measures included in the plan to stabilize the economic situation, 89 have either been implemented or are in the active stage of implementation. Since not everything has worked in full force yet, we will monitor the situation, interact with relevant departments and, first of all, with the business community in order to receive feedback and, if necessary, adjust the work. It is important for us that the business understands what is really happening, where to move. And through monitoring, make sure that all measures are effective," Golovnev stressed.

As a result of the meeting, the participants agreed to promptly exchange information on the current situation in the business environment and bring the proposals of the business community to the regional and federal authorities.