Directions of Regional Economic Development in Small Business

Abstract

Relevance. The difficulties of small business caused by the pandemic and its economic consequences actualize the study of issues of regional economic development in small business, since its effective functioning provides opportunities for economic growth in the region.The purpose is establishment of measures to support small business based on the trends of its development in the regions, which in the future will allow to form the directions of regional economic development in small business, contributing to improving the efficiency of the regional economy.Objectives: Determination of trends in the development of small businesses in Russia and the Central Federal District. Assessment of indicators of the state, activity and development of the small business sector in regional economic development in the context of the Central Federal District regions. Analysis of numerical dynamics, as well as the dynamics of ICT development and anti-crisis support in detail on financial, property and innovation support for small businesses. Establishment of support measures for the small business sector aimed at improving the efficiency of regional economic development. Methodology. Methods used in the research: statistical information processing; statistical analysis and synthesis; graphical method of data visualization.Results. Since 2019, the number of small businesses and their number has been declining due to the pandemic. In 2020, the regions of the Central Federal District are characterized by a reduction in the number of small enterprises and the number of their employees, an increase in the level of digitalization of small businesses, a decrease in the number of new private high-tech firms with non-zero revenue, as well as an increase in anti-crisis support. The support provided has not yet led to normalization of the situation. The designated set of measures will create a certain level of attractiveness for the population in the small business sector, as well as stimulate the development of existing small businesses.Conclusions. The presented set of measures will make it possible to identify promising areas of regional economic development in the small business sector, which will contribute to economic growth in the region and increase the efficiency of the regional economy.