At the scientific (pre-defense) seminar under the Academic Council No. PhD.03/31.12.20 at Kokand University, a discussion was held on the dissertations of Rasulov Hamidjon Yakubovich, Head of the Department of International Tourism and Economics, titled “Strategies for Improving Customer Relations in Small Business”, and Melibayeva Gulkhon Nazrullayeva, Senior Lecturer of the same department, titled “Mechanisms for Enhancing the Competitiveness of Small Business Enterprises.” Both dissertations were prepared in the specialty 08.00.15 – “Entrepreneurship and Small Business Economics” for obtaining the academic degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Economics. The discussion was lively and full of debates. Both candidates’ dissertations were recommended for public defense.