Study of Small and Medium Enterprises in Azerbaijan - IFC
Study of Small and Medium Enterprises in Azerbaijan - IFC
Study of Small and Medium Enterprises in Azerbaijan - IFC
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The “typical” small enterprise has the follow<strong>in</strong>g characteristics:<br />
Table 2.3 Statistical <strong>in</strong>formation on SME activity<br />
Average annual turnover AZN 250,000 $309,000<br />
Average pr<strong>of</strong>it AZN 30,000 $37,000<br />
Employees number<br />
15 people (full <strong>and</strong> part-time)<br />
Average monthly salary AZN 150 $185<br />
Unlike <strong>in</strong>dividual entrepreneurs, legal entities are <strong>in</strong>volved <strong>in</strong> a much greater variety<br />
<strong>of</strong> economic sectors. Thus, if 69 percent <strong>of</strong> <strong>in</strong>dividual entrepreneurs are <strong>in</strong>volved <strong>in</strong><br />
trade, then, among legal entities only 28 percent are <strong>in</strong> trade.<br />
Chart 2.9<br />
Unlike <strong>in</strong>dividual<br />
entrepreneurs, small<br />
enterprises are<br />
diversified across<br />
sectors<br />
<strong>Enterprises</strong> by Sector<br />
Agriculture, 18%<br />
Trade, 28%<br />
Public <strong>and</strong> personal services, 15%<br />
Real estate services, 9%<br />
Car <strong>and</strong> domestic<br />
appliances repair, 7%<br />
Construction, 7%<br />
Other, 9%<br />
Agri process<strong>in</strong>g, 4%<br />
Transport, 3%<br />
2.3 Ma<strong>in</strong> source <strong>of</strong> <strong>in</strong>vestments: own funds<br />
One important <strong>in</strong>dicator for measur<strong>in</strong>g the growth <strong>of</strong> the SME sector is the level <strong>and</strong> the<br />
source <strong>of</strong> the <strong>in</strong>vestments made by entrepreneurs <strong>in</strong>to their bus<strong>in</strong>esses. Research shows<br />
that local entrepreneurs seldom make capital <strong>in</strong>vestments <strong>in</strong> exp<strong>and</strong><strong>in</strong>g their bus<strong>in</strong>ess.<br />
Thus, <strong>in</strong> 2007, only 28 percent <strong>of</strong> entrepreneurs <strong>in</strong>vested <strong>in</strong> their enterprises.<br />
A large portion <strong>of</strong> these <strong>in</strong>vestments are f<strong>in</strong>anced from the entrepreneurs’ personal<br />
money. Only a small number <strong>of</strong> entrepreneurs apply for external f<strong>in</strong>anc<strong>in</strong>g with the<br />
purpose <strong>of</strong> receiv<strong>in</strong>g f<strong>in</strong>ancial support for <strong>in</strong>vestments. The chapter on Access to<br />
f<strong>in</strong>ance elaborates on the reasons for the low level <strong>of</strong> commercial fund<strong>in</strong>g <strong>and</strong> provides<br />
recommendations on overcom<strong>in</strong>g the current limitations.<br />
In the entrepreneurs’ op<strong>in</strong>ion, the stable growth <strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong>come, the potential for market<br />
development, as well as their bus<strong>in</strong>ess experience allows them to achieve satisfactory<br />
turnover. However, as seen <strong>in</strong> the course <strong>of</strong> focus group discussions, a significant part<br />
<strong>of</strong> their pr<strong>of</strong>it is spent on rent.<br />
The number <strong>of</strong> entrepreneurs <strong>in</strong> Baku that lease some premises for their bus<strong>in</strong>ess<br />
activity equals more than half , while <strong>in</strong> the regions only 26 percent <strong>of</strong> entrepreneurs<br />
rent their commercial premises.<br />
Aze r b a i j a n Bu s i n e s s En a b l i n g En v i r o n m e n t Pr o j e c t 39