Participants of the X All-Russian Legal Forum in Ufa discussed the regulatory policy of the state in the sphere of protection of business interests. Svetlana Vereshchagina, Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Investment Policy of the Republic of Bashkortostan, says that this process is a bit like an equilibrium - a continuous search for a balance between the level of public safety and the optimal administrative burden on business.

14 years ago, Russia created the Institute of Regulatory Impact Assessment which makes thorough preliminary analysis of all the pros and cons of a new regulatory act. A year later, the calculation of possible costs was introduced in Bashkortostan as a pilot project. Since then, more than 1,600 draft laws regulating business have been evaluated. On average, in every fifth draft, redundant obligations and unreasonable restrictions for entrepreneurs were found, which were promptly eliminated.

"When this tool was introduced more than 10 years ago, there were, of course, doubts, but now both authorities and business realize that this is a really necessary and effective tool. We were one of the first regions to introduce this tool, and over the past few years we have been among the leading regions that use this tool effectively and efficiently,” said Svetlana Vereshchagina.

It is not surprising that the example of Bashkortostan is considered exemplary - the republic demonstrates openness and sincere readiness to dialog with representatives of the business community. New regulatory legal acts are discussed publicly and this year alone 70% of the projects that underwent regulatory impact assessment received proposals and comments from interested parties - a total of 73 proposals and comments. Actually, the section State’s Regulatory Policy: New Mechanisms for Preventive Protection of Business within the business program of the X All-Russian Legal Forum is one of the brightest examples of the attempt to bring together the government and business to discuss the most pressing problems of entrepreneurship.

The work on regulatory impact assessment in Bashkortostan is going on continuously: this year 130 conclusions were prepared in respect of 129 draft regulatory legal acts: 18 draft laws of the Republic of Bashkortostan, 57 draft resolutions of the Government of the Republic of Bashkortostan, 54 draft orders of regional executive authorities were considered. Eight negative and 122 positive opinions were issued. 7 drafts of regulatory legal enactments revealed redundant provisions, prohibitions and restrictions, including those contributing to unreasonable business expenses. These drafts were sent to the agencies for revision.

Similar work is underway at the municipal level - since 2021, this legal institute has been functioning in all municipal districts and urban districts. This is a great tool for entrepreneurs, allowing them to exclude provisions that hinder business or contribute to unreasonable costs for entrepreneurs at the stage of drafting acts. And the districts are not lagging behind their colleagues at the regional level - for 9 months of the current year 371 conclusions on RIA were prepared in the municipalities of the republic.

Alexei Shmelev, Chairman of the Committee of Industry, Innovative Development, Trade, Entrepreneurship and Tourism of the State Assembly of Kurultai of the Republic of Bashkortostan, told about how RIA is used in lawmaking. First of all, it is the submission of all bills for public discussion. Also, the committee has created expert councils, which include representatives of business and business associations. The speaker told in detail about the existing legislative measures to support business both at the federal and regional levels.

Since the Anniversary Legal Forum is a nationwide event, speakers from other regions of the Russian Federation also took part in the session. Olga Moskvina, Head of the Department of the Ministry of Economic Development of the Novosibirsk Region, shared the experience of regulatory policy in the Novosibirsk Region.

"Regulatory policy for business, of course, is aimed at creating a whole range of conditions. This is the absence of excessive regulation. One of the goals of regulatory impact assessment is deregulation. It is the validity of the adoption of acts. The second characteristic of a favorable business environment is the consideration of interests, including the deterrence of business, but at the same time it is necessary to balance with the interests of society. The third is a dialog and transparency,” – Moskvina said.

Irina Abramova, Commissioner for Entrepreneurs' Rights in the Republic of Bashkortostan, Irina Rakhmeeva, Acting Head of the Department of Economic Theory and Applied Sociology at the Ural State University of Economics, and Liaisan Nikolaeva, the Chairperson of OPORA RUSSIA Bashkir Regional Office, expressed their views at the meeting.

In general, the session devoted to the government's regulatory policy in protecting the interests of business became a very interesting conversation on how to make the law not a cord around the entrepreneur's neck, but a tether that helps him move forward. And regulatory impact assessment, which allows a systematic approach to these issues, predictability and validity of possible changes in the regulatory framework of economic activity, is the main tool. It is important that Bashkortostan knows how to use it. This allows the republic to remain among the leaders in the ratings of investment attractiveness of the Russian Federation regions.

General Information:

On December 3 through 6, 2024 Ufa is hosting the XVII International Business Week Forum. The Forum is traditionally organized by the Government of the Republic of Bashkortostan.

The republic is rightfully viewed as a congress-rich region that attracts guests from all over the world. Ufa has become a center of international events. For two weeks in a row, it is hosting significant forums.

The International Business Week is recognized by Maria Zakharova, Representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia, as a top-5 largest forums in Russia. This event strengthens the role of the region as a venue of business communication and cooperation. The Republic of Bashkortostan proves to be an expert ground for a meaningful dialog between the authorities and business community and strengthens its presence on the map of international business activity.

This year the Forum will be focusing on key prospects of the Republic of Bashkortostan and Russia in economy, export, innovation and investments during four field-specific days: December 3 - Entrepreneurship Day; December 4 - X All-Russian Legal Forum; December 5 - Yalta International Economic Forum; December 6 - International Business Week.

The Forum will feature an exhibition, a gastrofestival and a B2B negotiation area. There guests and participants will get to know about their colleagues' experience and extend their network. Besides, the event will hold business development and public administration awards.

Please, feel encouraged to learn more about the business and entertainment programs of the XVII International Business Week at the official web-page: https://ibw-bashkortostan.com.