COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE IN SUPPORTING EXPORTING ENTERPRISES DURING THE PANDEMIC

Abstract

The restrictions associated with the coronavirus pandemic have severely hampered the functioning of businesses and caused their key performance indicators to deteriorate. Small and medium-sized exporting enterprises (SME-exporters) have been the most vulnerable to the effects of such restrictions. Various support programs have been developed and introduced in different countries to protect such enterprises, and Russia is no exception in this sense. The current period predetermines the necessity of analysis and evaluation of anti-crisis measures and effectiveness of SME-exporters support programs implemented by different countries, as well as identification of best international practices that can be used to improve and optimize Russian support programs. The purpose of this study is conducting a comparative analysis of SME-exporter support programs during the pandemic and identifying possible ways to improve Russian SME-exporter support programs based on international experience. This study uses quantitative and qualitative analysis of the key performance indicators of exporting enterprises, the degree of impact of state support measures on the above indicators and the level of effectiveness of these support measures. The study was conducted using the data from the Russian Export Center and its regional offices, authorities authorized to develop and implement measures to support SME-exporters, as well as foreign counterparts of the above-mentioned organizations. This study analyzed the Russian and world experience in supporting SME-exporters during the pandemic and proposed ways to improve the Russian program to support these enterprises.