In the dissertation the theoretical, methodological and applied principles concerning organizational and economic provision of development of the small business sector at the regional level are generalized. On the basis of the analysis of scientific works of domestic and foreign authors, the advantages of small business in the regions of the country are identified and problems hindering the rapid development of this sector in the regions. The paper reveals the role of small business as an important element of socio-economic development of society. Small business in its content is an important component of the formation and development of market economic relations. The small business sector in the country's economy is one of the most important factors contributing to the development of market economic relations, is a complex socio-economic phenomenon, which activates market processes and substantially affects virtually all elements of the economy.
Almost all developed countries have given a key role to the small business sector in shaping strategic directions of economic development. For the regions of the country, small business is a catalyst for economic and social stability. Small businesses increase the level of competition in regional markets and offset intra-regional disparities by locating and operating small firms in peripheral territories. In Ukraine, the small business sector at the regional level needs to receive much more attention from the state institutions of all levels and functional purposes, in particular, regarding the organizational and economic support of the development of this sector. State regional policy should be aimed at creating a system of incentives for small businesses to start up in most areas of the region's economy. To do this, it is necessary to encourage the economically active population to take an entrepreneurial initiative by providing all kinds of benefits and preferences.
In the course of the study, small business was considered in the system of economic categories, certain features that determine the economic nature of entrepreneurship: initiative, entrepreneurship, riskiness, innovation, combination of factors of production, economic and social responsibility of business. Analyzing the diversity of business forms, it was concluded that the most complete realization of these features is inherent in small business, which is an element of the entrepreneurial sector and has a number of features and advantages compared with the big business.
In the dissertation the tendencies of development of small business in Zakarpattya region are investigated. In particular, it was found that the distribution of the number of small enterprises in the branches of the economy varies insignificantly. In the course of the research, the factors that influence the distribution of small enterprises according to the spheres of activity are revealed: the specifics of the competitive environment on various branch markets; demand for products; barriers to entry; profitability of activity; state support of priority sectors. The analysis of small business development has shown as a common trend in the development of the business sector in the country as a whole and in the Transcarpathian region in particular, as well as specific features due to the combination of the general economic crisis, inefficient sectoral structure, the lack of interregional interconnections between business entities, socio-demographic characteristics of the population, etc.
The study of the modern system of activation and development of the small business sector in the region has allowed to identify its main priorities and problems and try to assess the effectiveness of the policy pursued by the state. Strategic priorities for the development of the small business sector should be the formation of a perfect legislative framework, organizational and financial support for small businesses, and informational and consulting support for small business entities.
