BUSINESS INCUBATOR ZONES AND THEIR ROLE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SMALL BUSINESS IN RUSSIA
The paper examines the current state of business incubator zones (BIZ) in Russia. The subject of research is the role of business incubator zones in the development of small businesses. The purpose of research is to identify the main problems and directions of the BIZ development and offer recommendations for improving the policy related to business incubator zones.The paper also analyzes statistical data that characterize the BIZ quantity in progress, sources of funding and specialization of business incubator zones, making it possible to defi their role and importance in the development of small businesses in Russia, along with assessment of their effectiveness in terms of the ability of BIZ residents to survive and their readiness for market activities outside a business incubator.A conclusion about the need to develop an effective mechanism to enable formation of small innovative companies is made.To achieve the main goal of the BIZ development, the author suggests that such zones be viewed not only from the perspective of the market infrastructure institutions but also as economic entities aimed at the development of high-tech innovative businesses, creation of new jobs, expansion of the domestic market and the tax base of the region.