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Small business told German Gref about their deepest desires
Yesterday, small businesses had a not-so-frequent opportunity to talk about painful issues with those on whom their fate directly depends. “Archimedes said: give me a point of support, and I will move the earth. So you have such support,” Sergei Borisov, president of the all-Russian organization of small and medium-sized businesses OPORA, greeted Minister of Economic Development German Gref at a meeting of the presidium. However, further discussion showed: even the smallest businesses need the support and support of the ministry. True, in some issues the size of the requested assistance turned out to be such that Mr. Gref had to remind those gathered about the need to maintain equal conditions of competition.“This is the second year that small businesses have been under the responsibility of the Ministry of Economic Development,” Mr. Borisov began his speech. “I can’t say that a breakthrough has occurred, but a big step forward has been taken.” Over the past year, the number of small businesses increased by only 5%. But the increase in investment was 30%, while in industry as a whole it was less than 10%. The minister, in turn, reported that 1.5 billion rubles were allocated last year to support small businesses. This year, twice as much has been allocated, and German Gref suggested that everyone think together about where they can spend it.
But this question occupied very little of those present. Their idea of the scale of government assistance turned out to be much more global. The greatest excitement was caused by the discussion of the work of customs, the issue of priority purchase of leased space and, surprisingly, the reduction of import duties on... elite wine.
Entrepreneurs complained about problems with customs. Here the minister fully supported them, saying that they would fight against smuggling until “either all the fighters or all the smugglers die out.” Moreover, he promised to personally go to the president and ask for his resignation if he could not cope with this disaster. In addition, German Gref said, in order to combat illegal imports, the government plans to ban the sale of electrical equipment, televisions and audio equipment (84-85th group of goods according to the Commodity Nomenclature of Foreign Economic Activity) in markets.
The discussion also turned to a tax issue that is sore for any entrepreneur. OPORA Vice President Aras Agalarov proposed abolishing the principle of VAT refund for exports while simultaneously lowering the tax rate. Mr. Gref abandoned this idea, promising to replace it with a sales tax if the task of improving the administration of VAT turns out to be too difficult. As you know, such an initiative is being proposed by a former subordinate of German Gref, the head of the presidential expert department, Arkady Dvorkovich. Although, Mr. Gref explained to reporters, the sales tax is “heavier” and the issue of replacement is very controversial.
Small businessmen also complained about difficulties in obtaining premises. In their opinion, it is necessary to legislate for small businesses the right of “first hand” when purchasing space. The head of the Duma Committee on Property, Viktor Pleskachevsky, who was present at the meeting, reassured those present: such a bill had been prepared by the Duma. True, there is no positive response from the Ministry of Economic Development yet, and it is not a fact that it will appear. This initiative did not meet with understanding from Mr. Gref. “Where are the guarantees that our entire business will not become small for one day and will not buy everything on the cheap,” the minister clearly explained his position.