Conditions for the development of entrepreneurship in the border regions of the EU and Belarus

Macroeconomic conditions differentiate business environment at both sides of the EU's eastern border less than it could result from the widely presented opinions on the effectiveness of economic policy models of Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, and Belarus. Institutional factors are a sig- nificant barrier for entrepreneurship in Belarus characterized by relatively favorable indicators of socio-economic development, unemployment, and employment as compared to the other countries. These countries inhibit their development and are not conducive to establishing coo- peration with Belarusian enterprises. The results of the survey indicate that the EU's support to develop entrepreneurship and cross-border cooperation in its eastern borderland and neighbouring regions of Belarus is justified. Despite the political and socio-economic system in Belarus, Belarusians just like their Western neighbours appreciate the role of entrepreneurship in the development of their regions and its stimulating factors. They also believe that the integration of Belarus with the EU could be crucial and positive to develop entrepreneurship and innovation. The development of cross-border cooperation could, therefore, significantly activate the economies of regions located at both sides of the border and improve the quality of life for the people who live thereVytauto Didžiojo universitetasŠvietimo akademij