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2 OPPORTUNITIES IN INNOVATION (Belarus) Aliaksei Uspenski Republican Centre for Technology Transfer , Nezavisimosti Ave., Minsk , Belarus

3 Innovation Support Infrastructure [1] 1998 – Belarusian Innovation Fund 2003 – Republican Centre for Technology Transfer 2005 – High Tech Park 2007 – Presidential Edict N1 “Regulations on the order of creation of innovation infrastructure entities” At present the innovation support infrastructure includes more that 80 different organizations. > The Belarusian Innovation Fund supports fail safe projects, and that is far from the common definition of innovation as a product that has a probability to become successful on the market.

4 Innovation Support Infrastructure [2] > RCTT since its establishment created 5 regional offices and 29 branch offices at research organizations, institutes and enterprises, but there is a lack of technologies to transfer. The problem is allocation of IPR. > The residents of High Tech Park are 138 companies which employ persons (30% are women). It is more for established businesses from IT sector, but also provides education and there is a Mentor Day to present new ideas. > For young people available: Republican contest “100 ideas for Belarus” (grants) and President’s scholarships for young scientists.

5 Entrepreneurship Support Infrastructure [1] - 90 business support centers (state & private) - 14 incubators of small business They receive finances from the budget in the frame of the State Program to support SME (in 2013 ca EUR). Opportunities for TCCI: > The business incubator “Youth Social Service” has a special branch “tourist-incubator” (30 companies). > There are no Creative/Art Incubators in Belarus. This niche is partly occupied by co-working centers and main building of “Youth Social Service” (150 companies).

6 Entrepreneurship Support Infrastructure [2] > Private business support center “Startup Technologies” organizes regular events (prize money ca EUR). > Association of Business-Angels “BAVIN” (since 2010).

7 Other support methods [1] > Presidential Edict N325 (effective since 2015) “On attracting and providing loans, microfinance organizations activity” defined new rules for microfinance organizations. Until 2015 any citizen could become a member of a Credit Union, invest and take loans. Starting 2015 members can be only owners and shareholders of companies, farm owners, craftsmen and persons, providing services in the argotourism sector. Microfinance organizations should be registered by National Bank. It is illegal for any other organizations to give 3 and more loans per month. > Belarusian crowdfunding site startidea.by (1377 projects)

8 Other support methods [2] > Rural houses can be registered as objects of Agro- and Ecotourism for ca. 12 EUR/year. There are more than 2000 registered farmsteads in Belarus but only ca active. > Handicraft industry is not entrepreneurship and can be practiced on application basis at local tax authority for ca. 12 EUR/year. There are (Oct. 2014) craftsmen in Belarus. Presidential Edict N560 from allows craftsmen to sell their products not only by themselves, but also on the basis of civil law contracts with legal entities and individual entrepreneurs.

9 Support of Women Innovators The Belarusian legislation is gender neutral. - There are no special programs to support women's entrepreneurship on the national level - Statistics on women entrepreneurs is not collected To motivate women to start her own business and draw attention to women’s specific problems business community and public associations periodically organize thematic events: - Contests “Best business-woman of a year” - Contests “Lady Boss” - Forum of Women-Entrepreneurs

10 New Conditions on Labour-Market - Presidential Edict N222 (postponed until 2016) “On regulation of business activity and sales of goods by individual entrepreneurs and other physical persons” requires that sold goods have a Certificate of Origin. Entrepreneurs involved in buying/selling have to stop their activity. Many of them are women. - Presidential Decree N3 (first period 15 Nov. 2016) “On prevention of welfare dependency ” states that persons working less than a half year required to pay ca. 230 EUR/year to compensate for use of free social services. The hidden unemployment becomes more visible. More people are looking for a job.

11 General Obstacles for Innovations - Only limited funds are available for developing support infrastructure. - PayPal started officially working with Belarus only in 2014 (the receipt of money is still not allowed). Not having access to the most popular payment system affects e- commerce. - Unstable national currency and high interest rates has a consequence that more than 70% of beginner entrepreneurs start with own savings, or borrow money from relatives and friends.

12 THANK YOU! Aliaksei Uspenski Republican Centre for Technology Transfer , Nezavisimosti Ave., Minsk , Belarus