Who we are

The Small and Medium Business Development Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan, was created as a legal entity under the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan, in order to support and develop Small and Medium Enterprises, by implementing all possible government and non-government instruments to fuel the rate of development of entrepreneurship in the country, thereby to ensure sustainable economic progress of national economy.

What we do

While ensuring proper regulation of SMEs activity, the Agency’s goal is to use a flexible supervision system, broadly implemented in this area as meeting modern requirements in compliance with international experience, and effective coordination mechanisms so as to increase the contribution and share of micro, small and medium-sized businesses in the national economy, boost their competitiveness, present them with broader opportunities to access financial resources, improve mechanisms to provide them with institutional support, coordinate the activities implemented by public and private entities in this area, establish favorable business environment to ensure development of entrepreneurship in the country’s regions and attract domestic and foreign investments to this area of activity.

SME Houses:
The Small and Medium Business Houses (SME Houses) is an organizational unit of the Small and Medium Business Development Agency responsible for coordination of services rendered by state bodies and private entities to entrepreneurs in the single space.

SME Friend:
Small and Medium Business Friends are representatives of The Small and Medium Business Development Agency (SMBDA) that are allocated to 29 regions in the Republic of Azerbaijan, to timely approach and support SMEs in those regions. The activity of SME Friends is both aimed at the establishment of new SMEs and expansion of existing ones to ensure potential development of the regions. For this purpose, potential investment projects are determined to ensure their implementation by SMEs.

SME Development Centers:
SME Development Centers are established to increase knowledge and skills of micro-, small and medium-sized entrepreneurs, expanding access to innovations, providing training and practical advisory services in line with modern day challenges are important for the establishment and development of business.
Training sessions and seminars are held by experienced and professional experts in the following areas in the SMB development centers, individual and group consulting services are provided, SMB networking etc. is supported: business planing, marketing, sales, business legislation, financial management, human resources management and etc.
Public private partnership (PPP):
Public-Private Partnership Development Centre has been established under the SMBDA in order to ensure systemic approach in promoting and supporting PPP projects.

International Cooperation:
The Small and Medium Business Development Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan cooperates with relevant agencies of other countries in order to study best practices experience in the field of small and medium business, establish and develop relations in this field. The agency likewise acts supports foreign organizations and investors and acts as an intermediary between international financial institutions, and foreign investors interested in investing in the economy of Azerbaijan and connects them to local entrepreneurs and SMBs.

Startup Certificate:
Micro and small businesses can apply for a Startup Certificate to the Small and Medium Business Development Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SMBDA). According to the Tax Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, after getting the Startup Certificate, entrepreneurs engaged in micro and small businesses are exempt from income tax and tax on income from innovation activity for 3 years.

Funding for education, science, research and support projects:
The Small and Medium Business Development Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SMBDA) finances educational, scientific, research, and support projects related to the development of micro, small, and medium businesses by arranging competitions, following the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan “On Grants” and this Procedure.

Market research:
To stimulate competitive production, micro, small, and medium businesses in the country, the Small and Medium Business Development Agency (SMBDA) finance the domestic market research.
Market access:
The agency supports the participation of micro, small, and medium businesses in various specialized exhibitions. To support the sales of entrepreneurs’ products, an online sales platform with the support of the SMBDA was created www.kobmarket.az.

Team