In Irkutsk, the unemployed are offered state subsidies to start their own business, but they can get them only with official status and a well developed business plan. The employment center has already issued 14 subsidies and selects projects, focusing on production, new services for the region, and job creation. At the same time, banks are launching preferential loan products for small business, which despite support is going through hard times because of the crisis.

The initial capital will be provided by the state. However, to do this, certain conditions must be met: first of all, give up your previous job and obtain official unemployed status.
Applications from newly minted entrepreneurs have been accepted at the employment center since the end of March this year. 14 subsidies have already been issued, and another 10 business plans are awaiting approval. To become a participant in the program, you need to have unemployed status and be registered as an individual entrepreneur. But the most important condition is the desire to start an interesting venture.
Natalia Rezanova, head of the department for organizing active forms of employment at the Irkutsk Employment Center: “We refuse those unemployed citizens whose business ideas are not very interesting and whose business plans are not very well developed. These are mainly trade. That is, for us the priority is, after all, production and those types of activity that are new, that are interesting for the Irkutsk region. And these are the business ideas that provide for the creation of additional jobs.”
Participants in the program who have already passed the selection at the employment center bake bread, build buildings, make plaster souvenirs, and teach brides to dance. They spent their own money on renovating premises, purchasing the necessary equipment, furniture, and consumables. Some financial and credit institutions also support the course toward the development of small business. Thus, the Baikal Bank of Sberbank of Russia has introduced 2 new loan products: “Business Auto” and “Commercial Real Estate.”
Natalia Vasilyeva, head of the department for organizing lending to legal entities at the Baikal Bank of Sberbank of Russia: “They will be in great demand. First of all, the interest rates on them are lower than on ordinary lending — as a pilot project, we are positioning it at lower rates. Also, the issue of terms has been resolved for entrepreneurs here. After all, the main problems are collateral and terms. And these new products solve the issue for entrepreneurs.
Small business is called the foundation of the country’s economic security. However, experts say that it is now on the verge of survival. The financial crisis has had an impact. Consumer demand has fallen, and entrepreneurs are suffering losses. Therefore, the state is trying in every possible way to help those who set up their own businesses. Tax relief is being introduced for them, and budget funds are being allocated for development. After all, it will be difficult for the population to do without minibuses or, for example, without shoe repair.