The article discusses the small businesses role in the market economy at the current stage of its development, characterizes its advantages and disadvantages, and defines the essence of the «competitiveness» concept. The authors have emphasized the economic and statistical analysis importance in researching the competitiveness of small businesses and in forming an effective strategy for its enhancement.
An important role in the development of economic systems of the world’s leading countries is played by small and medium-sized businesses, which are the basis of the economy, create GDP, are a significant source of budget replenishment, provide the largest number of jobs. In the conditions of open economy it is important to compare the national economy with European and world countries, to define strategies that will set the vector of development of a competitive country and ensure accelerated economic growth.
The stages of implementation of regional development programmes in Ukraine, their place and role on all levels of small enterprise development and functioning under current conditions are considered. The priority directions and compulsory components of the regional development programme on the example of the Lviv region are proposed. The important problems hindering small enterprise development on the regional level, whose consideration and solution will have a positive future effect on the status of small business, are highlighted.