In addition to SME policies, many countries have adopted small business legislative acts, including such countries with economies in transition as Russia, Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic and Bulgaria. Within the national framework, acts may specifically target the local level, as in the case of the German Länder. Their content varies but usually includes a declaration of support for small businesses, a definition for public policy purposes and principles on which support for the sector will be based. In addition they may contain institutional support arrangements, types of support to be given and methods of reporting. The absence of an act does not mean that there.
