Small entrepreneurship in Kazan in the conditions of economic instability (1985-1999)

the article is devoted to a comprehensive analysis of the formation and development of small entrepreneurship in Kazan in the period from 1985 to 1999, characterized by profound economic instability. The purpose of the study is to identify the key stages in the formation of the entrepreneurial class, analyze the mechanisms of business adaptation to changing conditions and assess the impact of regional specifics on these processes. The objectives were: to study the first steps of private initiative within the framework of the cooperative movement and individual labor activity during Perestroika; to consider the subsequent formation of market relations after the collapse of the USSR, with an emphasis on the role of the Declaration of Sovereignty and the Treaty on the Delimitation of Powers of the Republic of Tatarstan in creating a favorable business environment; as well as an analysis of problems (high inflation, instability of the tax system, the 1998 crisis) and survival strategies of Kazan entrepreneurs. Particular attention is paid to the dual nature of economic instability, which acted both as an obstacle and a catalyst for entrepreneurial activity, as well as the exceptional importance of the regional political factor and targeted support from institutions such as the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Tatarstan and the Republican Fund for Financial Support. The practical application of the research results lies in the possibility of using the identified historical experience of forming an entrepreneurial environment in the context of transformation processes to develop modern strategies for supporting small and medium-sized businesses, especially in regions with unique economic and political specifics. Understanding the lessons of the past contributes to more effective forecasting and management of entrepreneurship development in periods of crisis and uncertainty. The article concludes that, despite the difficulties, small entrepreneurship has strengthened its position and become an integral part of the urban economy of Kazan by the end of the 1990s.

small business, Kazan, economic instability, perestroika, market economy, Republic of Tatarstan, sovereignty, Chamber of Commerce and Industry, financial support, 1998 crisis, business adaptation, development