Smulkaus ir vidutinio verslo aplinka Lietuvos ir ES rinkose

LTStraipsnyje nagrinėjamos smulkaus ir vidutiniojo verslo (SVV) sektorių aplinkos problemos Lietuvoje ir ES. SVV sektorius yra svarbiausias, kuriame sukuriama daugiausiai darbo vietų, jo įtaka ekonomikos augimui taip pat labai didelė. Siekiant efektyvinti SVV aplinką, Lietuvos vyriausybinės institucijos turi tobulinti teisinę SVV aplinką, mokesčių ir verslo infrastruktūros sistemas, skatinti inovacijų plėtrą. [Iš leidinio]Reikšminiai žodžiai: Smulkus ir vidutinis verslas; Ekonominė ir teisinė aplinka; Konkurencingumas; Produktyvumas; Small and medium business (SME); Economical and juridical environment; Competitiveness; Productivity.

ENThe aim of this paper is to analyse the situation of Lithuanian Small and Medium-seized Enterprises (SMEs), their integration into the European Union common market, to propose suggestions how to improve the SME's conditions. The authors examine the SME sector's environment in Lithuania and EU. The main objectives pursued in this article are: to discuss the meaning and input of SME's in the world economy; to evaluate the Lithuanian SME's status and stress problematic areas which impede the development of the SME's sector; after the analysis to make proposals how to improve the economic surrounding of SME sector and to foster the SME's competitiveness. The SMEs sector becomes more and more important in Lithuania as well. The Lithuanian economy's integration into EU causes lots of challenges and raises a question: will SMEs be capable to compete in a common market? In spite of good Lithuanian macro economical indicators of latter years, the business surrounding for the SME development isn't very favourable. Juridical, economical and competitive environment is one of the main factors, forming and influencing business. The research performed by the World Bank, revealed that business in Lithuania is more controlled comparing with the Baltic and middle European countries. The SMEs definition in Lithuania since 2003 has been accorded to the Commission Recommendation. Micro enterprises should meet the following requirements: they should employ no more than 10 employees, annual income should not exceed 7 million LTL or the book value of enterprise assets should not exceed 5 million LTL. Small enterprises: should employ no more than 50 persons, annual income should not exceed 25 million LTL or the book value of enterprise assets should not exceed 17 million LTL.Medium sized enterprises meet the following requirements: they should employ no more than 250 persons, annual income should not exceed 138 million LTL or the book value of enterprise assets should not exceed 93 million LTL. While comparing the Lithuanian and the main EU macro economical indicators we can make a conclusion, that the annual growth rate of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Lithuania is one of the highest in EU. But GDP in P PS standard is only about 40 % of the EU level. Productivity is only 38 % of EU level. SME's density (number of enterprises for 1000 inhabitants) in Lithuania is 3,6 times lower than in EU. In Lisbon strategy (2000) the European Council raised the objective for the EU to become the most competitive and dynamic, knowledge - based economy in the world. According to that the Lithuanian SMEs competitiveness becomes key point. "Global Competitiveness Report" states that during last years Lithuania made good progress, regarding the competitiveness index (36 place among 80 countries). But there are still many problems regarding this issue: the innovation system is not effective, too little attention is paid to research and development. There is the low level of PCs and Internet users. Only some enterprises are capable to implement high technologies. We have advantage concerning our labor cost, but it's effective only having in mind a short-term strategy. Having in mind a longterm perspective it is more rational to give stress on the knowledge-based economy, IT, innovations, high quality of services and products. Some firms have big possibilities to compete successfully in the EU market, especially the ones which already export their production abroad. But most of SME's need to implement new technologies and high standards in order to compete successfully.And finally the following conclusions have been made. The SME sector becomes more and more important in Lithuania as well as in the world. In order to make the SME's business environment more effective, Lithuanian governmental institutions should improve the juridical surrounding, tax system and infrastructure, to foster innovations in SMEs and their development in the regions. The implementation of these means will give rise for effectiveness, competence and competitiveness of SMEs. A number of enterprises will enlarge. SME firms in order to foster competitiveness should implement new technologies, choose the right strategy in the EU market, use possibilities of the EU financial instruments, improve management skills and personnel quality. [From the publication]