The SME Forum

SME Digitalization: Digital Development and Digital Inequality

02 Jun , 10:00–11:30
Russian Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Forum
Congress Centre, conference hall D1

Small and medium-sized businesses are ready to transform but prefer to do so gradually. The transformation process is slowed by a lack of understanding of the benefits that arise from implementing new digital technologies. However, SMEs that refuse to digitalize are destined to fall behind their competitors. During the pandemic, self-isolation, and widespread quarantine, the integration of digital technologies into business processes – transitioning business operations to the Internet even in traditionally off-line sectors – became a matter of survival, not just necessity. IT solutions for small businesses: how effective, accessible, and interesting are they for entrepreneurs? What tools and opportunities is the IT industry ready to offer small businesses? Banks for entrepreneurs in the new digital world. Is the government ready to transition from the classical model of supporting the SME sector (benefits, subsidies, fixed infrastructural instruments, etc.) in favour of a service model (supporting business operations, remote access to support and development instruments, help creating IT models for small businesses in any sector, etc.)? What effect will the implementation of IT solutions for small businesses have on existing SME support infrastructure and development institutions, including financial ones? The reputation of entrepreneurs in the digital world. How prepared are small and medium-sized businesses for digital transformation? How quickly can they adopt collaboration and remote sales technologies? How to reduce the business expenses of implementing digital business solutions (labelling, Unified State Automated Information System (EGAIS), PLATON ETC System, Mercury Automated Information System, etc.).

Moderator
Andrey Shubin, Executive Director, All-Russian Non-Governmental Organization of Small and Medium-Sized Businesses OPORA RUSSIA

Panellists
Elena Volotovskaya, Vice President for Investments at Softline; Head of Softline Venture Partners
Alexey Logantsov, Chief Executive Officer, Logasoft
Maxim Parshin, Deputy Minister of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media of the Russian Federation
Lyubov Pshenichnikova, Director of Strategic Partnerships Development, Mail.Ru Group
Alexander Svinin, Trade Representative of the Russian Federation in the Republic of Singapore (online)
Karolina Sokolova, General Director, EVEREST Sales House
Nadiya Cherkasova, Deputy President - Chairman of the Board, Otkritie Bank
Roman Chernin, Head of Small Business Services, Yandex
Alexander Chernoshchekin, Senior Vice President, Head of the Medium and Small Business Unit, Promsvyazbank
Yulia Shishkina, Department for the Implementation of Special Projects, Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation

Broadcast