The Republic of Tatarstan shared the best practices of business support with other regions of the country
The Agency for Strategic Initiatives has launched a headquarters for the exchange of best management practices between the regions on a weekly basis. The Republic of Tatarstan was the initiator of such a format of interaction, and the republic was also among the first to share its experience in implementing financial and non-financial measures to support business. Deputy Minister of Economy of the Republic of Tatarstan Dinar Shakirov made a report to representatives of the country's constituent entities.
In his reportDinar Shakirov elaborated on the measures of financial support. According to this indicator, the Republic of Tatarstan is among the leaders of the National Rating of Investment Attractiveness this year.
The pandemic period has shown how important it is to respond quickly to business requests and adapt the available support tools in accordance with the wishes of entrepreneurs. For example, the federal measures in force during the pandemic were aimed at supporting enterprises from the list of the most affected industries, while many entrepreneurs who were not included in the list, but also suffered during the pandemic, were left without support. Financial measures totaling more than 3.3 billion rubles were implemented for such entrepreneurs in the Republic of Tatarstan.
In particular, as part of anti-crisis measures, a special product "One percent" was developed. Entrepreneurs whose activities were not included in the list of the most affected sectors of the economy and satisfying the conditions of the program were provided with a preferential microloan, the interest rate on which in the first – most difficult months of work (6 months) was 1%, in the future the rate depended on maintaining the number of employees. Under this program, 254 microloans were issued in the amount of about 300 million rubles.
In addition, to help businesses during the pandemic, the Entrepreneurship Support Fund subordinate to the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Tatarstan last year satisfied about 400 applications for deferred payments on microloans in the amount of 612 million rubles.
Also, Tatarstan entrepreneurs in 2020 could reimburse the interest actually paid on loans in the amount of the key rate. In addition, the Guarantee Fund of the Republic of Tatarstan assisted businesses in attracting debt financing under the guarantees of the Fund. During the pandemic, entrepreneurs from the affected industries were provided with a guarantee from the Guarantee Fund for the first 6 months without a commission.
An important support for entrepreneurs was the possibility of restructuring previously received loans. The Guarantee fund helped the business to restructure loans in the amount of about 1.4 billion rubles, while maintaining a guarantee in the loan collateral structure.
Another tool for supporting business was 100% subsidizing the costs of entrepreneurs in the catering sector to pay for aggregators of food delivery and ready meals. Due to the restrictive measures, business entities operating in the field of public catering were forced to sell products to end customers when using delivery services.
Entrepreneurs of the Republic of Tatarstan who have contracts for the placement of goods and services with Yandex Food, Delivery Club, Ozone or Wildberries were reimbursed 100% of the corresponding expenses. More than 104 restaurants and cafes were able to continue their work, thanks to the support provided. This year, the Ministry of Economy decided to continue the implementation of the program, increasing the funding limit almost twice.
Shakirov also noted that during the pandemic, it was important both to provide financial support to entrepreneurs, and also help them adapt to new working conditions.
"Starting from April 1, 2020, an online business program "Adaptation Technologies: how to survive and grow?" with the participation of the President of the Republic of Tatarstan R. N. Minnikhanov was launched. As part of the anti-crisis program, 25 online seminars were held, which were attended by more than 54 thousand people. During the video tutorials, entrepreneurs and business experts shared with business leaders and owners effective methods in solving anti-crisis issues that arise for entrepreneurs in the new economic conditions," the speaker summed up his report on business support measures operating in Tatarstan in the past pandemic year.
Dinar Shakirov stressed that in 2021, the Ministry actively continues to implement measures to support business, formed with consideration to the opinions and real needs of entrepreneurs. This year, support has already been provided through regional institutions to 8.539 SMEs, which employ about 27 thousand people.
In conclusion, the speaker noted that in the current conditions, it remains important to respond promptly to the needs of business and self-employed citizens and adapt non-financial and financial support measures in order to prevent a reduction in the number of employees and a decrease in the economic performance of small and medium-sized businesses.