51.5% of entrepreneurs consider it impossible to engage in business without bypassing law in Azerbaijan

In September the Fund of Assistance to Entrepreneurship Development and Market Economy presented results of a poll, conducted among 1,000 entrepreneurs (0.4% of the total amount) in the framework of the project "Improvement of entrepreneurial environment in Azerbaijan", supported by the International Center of Private Entrepreneurship.

According to APA, the poll, conducted in May-July of 2008, covered Baku and 11 regions of the country.

According to fund chairman Sabir Baghirov, the poll was conducted by sociological service Puls-R. At the same time, 61.6% of respondents were owners of the enterprises, which passed registration, 38.4% were individuals, including 5.5% farmers.

Head of sociological service Puls-R Rasim Musabeyov noted that most of the poll participants assessed the entrepreneurial sector as good or appropriate.

"Over 40% of entrepreneurs intend to expand their activity, 51.5% consider it impossible to engage in business without bypassing law in Azerbaijan, over 30% do not consider themselves secured from lawlessness of officials. By results of the poll, almost 50% of entrepreneurs are visited by a representative of state bodies, especially the Ministry of Taxes, once a month".

About 2/3 of respondents refused to answer the question about the unfounded inspections and claims. Respondents did not stress any serious problems in the process of receiving a license, yet 2/3 of 476 people refused to answer the question about the expenses for its obtainment.

90 out of 1,000 respondents appealed to the National Fund of Assistance to Entrepreneurship with only 46 people able to get a credit.

/APA/