The hotel business shows the highest growth in all areas where small and medium-sized enterprises of the North Caucasus Federal District (SKFO) operate. In three years, the number of SMEs in this area has doubled from 900 to 1,800 entrepreneurs.

" Today, the tourism sector in general and the North Caucasus in particular receives special attention from the State. The impulse of its development places greater demand for domestic tourism on the part of citizens, as well as the maintenance of the industry. This is the creation of the most conducive environment for investment and activities, including small and medium-sized businesses, which is now one of the hotel and SPCF ' s general economy " , emphasized by the Minister for Economic Development of the Russian Federation, Maxim Rechetnikov.

In addition to the hotel business, the three most growing sectors of SMEs in the North Caucasus Federal District also include courier activities with growth of 1.9 times and education 1.5 times.

In general, in the last three years, the number of entrepreneurs in the SCF has increased by 20 per cent, to 231,000. The largest number of SMEs were registered in Stavropol province (99,000), the Republic of Dagestan (52,000) and the Chechen Republic (22,000).

" SCF has a significant potential for SME growth. While the Russian Federation averages 40 entrepreneurs per 1,000, the North Caucasus has a maximum of 34 SME entities per 1,000 population (in the Stavropol province). At the same time, in the Republic of Ingushetia, 12 SME entities per 1,000 population, the Director-General of the SME Corporation, Alexander Isaevich, noted the lowest density of business. - Local small and medium-sized business can now rely on the sponsorship of the National Guarantee System, concessional investment credit, concessional leasing, other concessional instruments. "

To date, there are 432,000 people working in small and medium-sized businesses in the SIFO, representing about 10 per cent of the total employment in the region. For Russia, in the SME sector, on average every third employee is employed. The highest employment rate for small and medium-sized enterprises is found in the Stavropol province, 17 per cent, the lowest in the Republic of Ingushetia, 3 per cent.

It will be recalled that the development and support of SMEs is being carried out within the framework of the " Maloe and Middle Entrepreneurship " project launched by the President.