The regional conference within the Kastrycnicki Economic Forum (KEF) project will take place in late September in Brest, BelTA learned from Director of the Brest Local Fund of Regional Development Aleksandra Kurilovich.
The event will gather businessmen, government bodies and representatives of the technological park. “Participants will get firsthand information from experts. There will also be networking opportunities. I think that one of the themes for discussion will be social entrepreneurship. We have a lot to share. This is not only about the employment of disabled people. These are all those social issues which are addressed with the help of business. Among them is environment, waste management, employment in rural areas. We have developed practice-oriented materials that receive positive feedback,” Aleksandra Kurilovich said.
A study of the activity of small and medium-sized business, conducted by a group of experts of the Brest State Technical University, became one of the preparatory measures for the conference. The results of the study, and also problems and prospects for the development of small and medium-sized entrepreneurship in the region were discussed at the meeting that was held in the format of the intersectoral dialogue with the participation of the academic and business community.
As of early 2019, some 10,700 SMEs were registered in Brest Oblast. The small business of the region is largely represented by micro organizations (over 9,000 entities, or 84.7% of the total). More than 38% of SMEs are located in Brest, 10.7% in Baranovichi, 6.4% in Pinsk. Brest District, Baranovichi District and Kobrin District are home to a big number of SMEs.
Trade accounts for 32% of the SME structure, industry goes second (16%), transport services make up 11%, IT – 7%.
