Support for small and medium-sized businesses as a factor in the development of the region’s economy

The article reveals the scientific definition of regional economic development in the context of business development. The issue of regional development through a cluster of small and medium-sized enterprises and cooperation of small and large enterprises to ensure technological and innovative progress within the region and the country is considered. The research hypothesis assumes that the strategy for the development and interaction of businesses of different levels ensures the intensification of the development of innovative technologies and products, the replacement of imported products with domestic ones with a wide range and favorable pricing policy. The advantages of developing small and medium-sized enterprises in the context of sanctions pressure are reflected. The article analyzes the performance indicators and development of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises that affect the sustainable development of the Omsk region, and also assesses the petrochemical cluster as an example of combining enterprises and their impact on the regional economy. The analysis revealed a positive trend towards an increase in the number of small and medium-sized businesses in the Omsk region and identified obstacles hindering the growth of both the region itself and business development. One of the most important limiting factors for SME development at the current stage is the labor shortage caused by the growing competition for employees and the tendency for people to prefer more flexible forms of employment (self-employment). The analysis of clustering in China is conducted as an example for further development of the region’s industry. The article substantiates the advantages of combining enterprises into clusters to increase the pace of import substitution, competitiveness of domestic products in the domestic and foreign markets, due to the experience and developments of related structures and enterprises.