SMALL BUSINESS, A GROWING POLITICAL FORCE, GETS TAX CONCESSIONS.

The Russian finance ministry will simplify tax procedures for small businessmen, Moscow radio reported June 8. This concession reflects the growing political clout of independent business operators, Kommersant-Daily suggested June 9. The paper said that within three years, small businesses will employ from 18 to 30 million people, a serious electoral group. It noted, however, that the small businessmen were most concerned about maintaining their access to government subsidies.

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