NALED Council for small businesses gathered 20 organizations and companies
Small businesses are an increasingly important pillar of the development of the domestic economy, but they face a number of obstacles - from administrative barriers, to lack of information, to the need for greater systemic support. In order to work together on solutions and improvement of the business environment, NALED formed the Small Business Council, which brings together 20 associations and organizations made up of small businessmen and entrepreneurs.
- Our goal is to improve the regulatory framework and remove the obstacles that make it difficult for small businesses to operate every day. We will place a special emphasis on training and mentoring programs, in order to further strengthen their capacities and enable them to grow sustainably - said Violeta Jovanović, executive director of NALED at the first session of the Council, which was established as part of the Strong and Important project.
- NALED's role in the development of small businesses and in improving their position in the economic system of Serbia is of great importance - said Nataša Radović, deputy director of the program at the British Embassy, with whose support the Council for Small Businesses was founded. The results of a recent survey, Attitudes of Small Businesses, Entrepreneurs in Serbia, show that support is important for small entrepreneurs both at the beginning and through the later stages of business.
Education and available information, tax benefits, simpler administrative procedures and greater support for female entrepreneurs - these are the key priorities of small businesses gathered in NALED's Council. As an important step for easier business start-up, members propose a free online platform for information and sending a brochure or e-mail when registering a company.
Among the recommendations are an increase in the threshold for exiting the flat-rate system, a reduction in taxes and contributions to the wages of flat-rate entrepreneurs in the first years of work, automated subscription for payment of obligations and fiscal incentives that would stimulate investment in innovative companies.
The establishment of a register of parafiscal levies, the introduction of a three-year transition period for compliance with regulations, an easier transition from a flat rate to a personal salary system, and with the aim of strengthening gender equality - the equalization of the rights of entrepreneurial mothers with employed women and the implementation of gender-sensitive budgeting in the implementation of state support programs were also proposed.
In the coming period, the Council will systematize all proposals and problems, select priority topics and form a network of contacts for mutual networking of members.
