Gevorgyan Lilit S.

This article focuses on the challenges of digitalization of business processes in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and government support for the digital economy. An indicative approach was used to assess the level of digitalization of small and medium-sized businesses: the author evaluated the Business Digitalization Index, calculated by Otkritie Bank in collaboration with the NAFI analytical center. Individual indicators of the use of digital technologies by SMEs were also analyzed (including the results of industry surveys and monitoring). The author found that the level of digitalization of most enterprises remains average, and only a small proportion of SMEs have fully realized their digital potential. The main problems slowing down the digital transformation of SMEs are related to a lack of financial resources and qualified personnel. These barriers directly affect the course of digital transformation, reducing its speed and efficiency: enterprises cannot fully take advantage of the benefits of “digitalization” and postpone the modernization of business models, which negatively affects their competitiveness. To overcome this gap, a set of measures has been proposed, including the development of human capital (training, attracting and retaining IT talent), strengthening financial support for digital projects (subsidies, incentives, IT grants), and improving the institutions and infrastructure of the digital economy (creating platforms and services that simplify SME access to technologies and markets).