The assessment of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the North Caucasus was conducted by experts from the North Caucasus Federal University (NCFU). The success of the implementation was assessed and proposals were formulated to improve SMEs as one of the key elements of the economy.

According to experts, about 4% of the total number of SMEs in Russia is located in the North Caucasus Federal District, the district occupies one of the last places among federal districts in terms of the number of SMEs, despite their high growth rates. Small and medium-sized enterprises are one of the key elements of the economy of the North Caucasus, largely determining the standard of living of the population of the territories. The creation of additional jobs, the development of competition, and, consequently, the improvement of the quality of goods and services, the growth and development of the national economy – all this is largely determined by the development of small businesses.

– I would like to note that over the five years under study, the number of SMEs in the North Caucasus has increased by 41%. In order to maintain a positive trend in the district, we consider it important to expand support measures for young people through acceleration programs, which could be accepted online. Also among the proposals formulated is a change of vector from the position of repressive measures against shadow business to the stimulation of voluntary legalization in the North Caucasus," commented Svetlana Kalyugina, Doctor of Economics, Professor, Head of the Department of State, Municipal Administration and Labor Economics at NCFU.

An expert analysis of the development of small and medium-sized businesses in the North Caucasus Federal District has identified problem areas in the following areas: administrative pressure, problems with obtaining government support, expensive lending, high tariffs of natural monopolies and an insufficiently high level of financial literacy of entrepreneurs.

Also, the issue of "digitalization" of interaction between representatives of small and medium-sized businesses with government agencies remains problematic, which has not yet become as accessible for entrepreneurs as for individuals.

Along with the difficulties, there are also successes in the development of SMEs in the regions. Thus, in the Karachay-Cherkess Republic, the dynamics of the development of small and medium-sized enterprises is more intense than in other regions.

Since the beginning of the introduction of the institute of the "self-employed", the number of people registered in this segment is 8 times higher than planned.

The Chechen Republic has become the leader in the dynamics of SME growth, with 11 business incubators, the My Business Republican Center, 4 technoparks, and 3 microfinance organizations successfully operating.

There are 9 regional parks in the Stavropol Territory with a total area of 32,858 hectares, including: the Nevinnomyssk TOCER, the RIP in the city of Nevinnomyssk, Stavropol Territory, and the Kochubeyevsky Municipal District of Stavropol Territory, the RIP APP Stavropol in the territory of the Mineralovodsk City District, the RIP Stavropol, the RIP Energia, and the regional tourism and Tourism Center.a recreational park on the territory of the city of Stavropol. The planned volume of investments in their development will amount to 64 billion rubles, the planned number of jobs created – 3994 units.

Systematic measures to reduce shadow employment are being implemented in the Republic of Dagestan as part of the roadmap. Five zonal working groups have been created, the main task of which is to identify tax reserves and legalize informally employed citizens.