The number of exporting companies from the SME sector has increased by one and a half times

The interest of entrepreneurs in foreign economic activity continues to recover. Over the past two years, the number of small enterprises engaged in export has increased 1.5 times: now 16% of small business companies are engaged in it. This is stated in a study by PSB, Opora Rossii and NAFI, which they conducted when calculating the RSBI (Russia Small Business Index) index. It is at the disposal of Izvestia.

As Irina Zhimerina, Senior Vice President and head of the small and medium-sized business unit of the PSB, explained, referring to the data of the Ministry of Economic Development, over 60 thousand exporters in the SME sector currently work in Russia. Their share in non-primary non-energy exports has increased by more than 2.5 times since 2019 and amounted to 23%.

According to the expert, at the moment, Russian entrepreneurs are most actively exporting food, light industry goods and technological products.

"The food products in demand include flour, cereals, vegetable oils, fruits, and vegetables. Through the light industry, SMEs supply ready-made clothing, textiles (fabrics, canvases), knitwear, fur products, leather goods and shoes to foreign markets. Technology supplies are also very diverse, from software and IT services to innovative developments in the fields of medicine, energy and agriculture," said Zhimerina.

According to the study, the most active export destination is the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), among them Belarus is the main trading partner. The frequency of shipments to this country has increased from 31% to 55% in two years due to the removal of trade barriers and the creation of favorable business conditions. But the activity of supplies to Kazakhstan, on the contrary, decreased over the year from 57% to 46% against the background of tightening sanctions pressure.

In addition, close economic ties with the Middle East remain — shipments to Turkey have been growing for the third year, with 7% exported to the UAE and other countries in this direction.

In addition to exports, Russian small companies are engaged in the purchase and import of goods into Russia. Thus, China remains the main importer for entrepreneurs.: Over the past year, 73% of SMEs have collaborated with him. As in the case of exports, within the framework of the EAEU, enterprises are more actively buying goods from Belarus (16% of companies), while businesses from Kazakhstan and Armenia, on the contrary, began to import less frequently. At the same time, despite the increased sanctions, imports of products from Europe continue to grow.

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On May 30, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Patrushev pointed out the need to continue opening new markets for the development of Russian grain exports. According to him, the prospects for increasing exports should also be considered through the prism of expanding logistics capabilities. In addition, he stressed the importance of international cooperation.