A programme for Russia's social and economic development until 2008 has been already supplemented with a chapter on small business, the ministry for economic development (MERT) plans to formulate guidelines of a government small business policy. This statement was made by MERT state regulation department chief Natalia Larionova. Support for small business during that period is now being elaborated by the MERT to be discussed with small business representatives this March, she added.
The 2005 federal budget provides for rubles 1.5bn to support small enterprises and the MERT, when using these funds, will set store by co-financing of the budgets of the Russian Federation members according to fifty-fifty principle, noted Larionova.
"This means a major improvement in allocations for support for small business," she added.
