Quotes
“The Google and Sberbank project kicked off a year ago, together with establishment of the corporation to support small and medium-sized business. The objective of this initiative is to devise a project that, in a few years, will lead to creating clear value: the country must have no poor people. Only those who wish to be poor will be poor. I suggest using this point as an encouragement. It is good that we are discussing small and medium-sized business ahead of SPIEF – this surely means that we are on the right way, because the value of the entrepreneur is definitely growing.”
“The subject of the session is crucial. Small and medium-sized businesses wish to see clear access to procurement, which is critical. There are several parameters here. First, the share of procurement from the sole supplier, i.e., other than competitive tenders and, in our case, it is 2.6 times lower. Second, if we are talking about the degree and level of competition, then, pursuant to FZ-223, there are, on average, 1.7 tenderers, whereas we have 2.9. We call for building up trust – you will be supplied with what you require and at lower rates, and this will be transparent procurement”.
“Vast possibilities for business growth in both quality and quantity open up for small and medium-sized companies that gain access to the system of procurement by state corporations
“Am important major reserve of the Russian economy is the structurally high level of the so-called employment with low productivity. Russia has experience of more than 600 companies that have managed to double, if not quadruple their labour productivity. For Russia, 600 companies is almost nothing. Overall, there are more than 6 million entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized companies in Russia.”
“Small business is a traditional development driver for a country’s economy. In countries with a well-developed economy, small business accounts for 75% to 90% of GDP, while in Russia it remains below 25%. These indicators imply that this resource is used ineffectively and needs to be developed. The new agenda for the country’s socioeconomic policy to 2025 is being developed; the programme for expediting growth in the national economy is being shaped; and the country’s development strategy is being formulated. In this context, small business should find its place in the new policy.”
“The goal determines the means. If you don’t have a goal, you have no path. The goal must be digitized. Indeed, it is important to understand what you are good at, and not to try to do everything for everyone. I always urge people to follow one motto in business: ‘Hail to the bold ones who are not afraid of a challenge’. If you want to manage, you need to learn how to control. We have learned to delegate, but now the new stage for the growth of your business is control. In Russia it is a development factor”.
“The Russian economy is changing rapidly, it is becoming digital and makes active use of mobile applications. Yet technology does not change the essence of entrepreneurship; it provides broad opportunities for implementing various ideas and, most importantly, access to global markets. It is very important to give maximum support to all those who really wish to promote entrepreneurship. Consequently, Google emphasizes such projects as Business Class, and we are happy that we have a chance to cooperate with Sberbank. Special thanks go to Senior Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov for supporting our programme.”