SMEs in Belarus expand beyond retail

The Belarusian Economy Ministry has named the top 5 sectors by the number of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), BelTA has learned. “Small and medium-sized businesses are no longer associated solely with trade. The top activities by the number of organizations also include transportation, manufacturing, construction, as well as professional, scientific, and technical activities,” the Economy Ministry stated. At the end of 2025, the SMEs made a high contribution to the overall economic indicators. As of 1 January 2026, small and medium-sized businesses accounted for 27.4% of GDP, one-fifth of industrial production, 27.4% of retail trade, and over 40% of foreign trade. The total number of people employed in the SME sector has already exceeded 1.7 million.