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A meeting between the governor and the first vice-president of the public organization "Opora Rossii," which protects the rights of entrepreneurs, took place as part of the "My Business" forum being held in the region.
"I am glad to welcome you to Penza land," Oleg Melnichenko addressed Azat Khalilov. "We interact very actively with 'Opora Rossii' in the interests of our business community. Small and medium-sized businesses make a great contribution to the development of the gross product – more than 35 percent. This is the first place in the Volga Federal District and sixth in Russia."
As of the results of January-April 2026, more than 49 thousand small and medium-sized businesses are operating in Penza Region. Compared to the same period in 2025, their number increased by 1.6 thousand units (3.5%).
The head of the region drew attention to the active work on concluding social contracts.
"The main task is that a person, having come out of a difficult life situation, lays the foundation for becoming an entrepreneur and already giving work to others himself," Oleg Melnichenko emphasized. "The total employment of residents of Penza Region in the small and medium-sized business sector is about 235 thousand people. I believe this is a very good indicator, which is one of the foundations of the stability of the Penza economy, which largely relies on entrepreneurship."
"It is very pleasing that the head of a constituent entity of the Federation recognizes the importance of small and medium-sized businesses," Azat Khalilov responded. "I see that over the past five years, the regional branch of 'Opora Rossii' has received support and implements projects with peace of mind."
The first vice-president of "Opora Rossii" emphasized that the public organization unites more than 400 thousand entrepreneurs. Branches operate in all regions of the country, and there are also 40 international branches.
"One of the important areas of our work is the expert component," he stated. "In all areas, there is powerful expertise that can also be used at the regional level."
"Opora Rossii" also offers assistance in holding business forums and implementing cultural, historical and social projects, including helping SVO participants and their family members start their own businesses.
Oleg Melnichenko separately thanked the public organization for its assistance to servicemen, as well as to residents of the territories under the patronage of the Penza Oblast – the Tokmaksky and Pologovsky districts of the Zaporozhye Oblast.