The Made in Ukraine Business Forum, organized by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine in partnership with the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine, the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Kyiv-Mohyla Business School, with financial support from the Government of Japan, is intended to provide Ukrainian entrepreneurs with deeper insights into the “Made in Ukraine” national policy, which was launched in February this year.
The event has become a crucial platform for experience sharing among entrepreneurs, investors, and government representatives. The primary theme of the forum is to explore how to support Ukrainian businesses and their contribution to the national economy through innovative solutions that foster sustainable development and economic recovery in the country.
Additionally, entrepreneurs attending the forum have opportunities to showcase their products at the trade fair, attend workshops by leading business professionals, find new partners, and sign agreements at the business-to-business (B2B) negotiation zone. Participants will also hear directly from the creators of the “Made in Ukraine” policy and international partners about opportunities to support Ukrainian business.
Yuliia Svyrydenko, First Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Economy of Ukraine, stated: “The Made in Ukraine policy is a key element in the recovery of our economy. We aim to shift from an economy based on raw materials to a processing economy by developing production, attracting investment into the real sector, and promoting manufactured exports. This will strengthen the economy and create new jobs. Such a transformation is intended to make Ukrainian businesses competitive, capable of producing high value-added goods, and serve as a driving force for our economic recovery.”
Matsuda Kuninori, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Ukraine, noted: “Japan has pledged and provided over US$12 billion in assistance and will continue to provide budget support, and humanitarian and energy aid to Ukraine. Responding to great efforts by the Government of Ukraine to improve the investment climate, Japan is continuing to invest all available resources to consolidate the institutional arrangements for business development. We are also committed to fully supporting the Made in Ukraine initiative, and assisting UNDP to organize exhibitions and business forums like this.”
Jaco Cilliers, UNDP Resident Representative in Ukraine, said: “Today’s event once again confirms that Ukrainian entrepreneurs are a powerful force capable of restoring and transforming Ukraine’s economy. They demonstrate incredible resilience and innovative approaches that are the foundation for rebuilding Ukraine. UNDP is proud to be a part of this process, supporting the government in implementing its Made in Ukraine policy and contributing to inclusive economic growth.”
Background
Before the full-scale invasion, Ukraine was home to 1.9 million micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), which played a key role in the country’s economy. However, due to the war, 65 percent of these enterprises were forced to temporarily or permanently cease operations. While many have resumed their activities, their production capacity has significantly declined – from 72.4 percent pre-war to just 45.7 percent now. This significant drop highlights the urgent need for continued support from the government and international partners to help restore and develop the MSME sector.
The main challenge facing MSMEs in Ukraine today is the shortage of human capital, which has been exacerbated by the war. Currently, 8.4 percent of MSMEs operate with less than 40 percent of their required workforce. As a result, 80 percent of companies plan to raise salaries by 10-30 percent by the end of 2024. Despite these challenges, 76 percent of MSMEs managed to retain their workforce as of March 2024, demonstrating remarkable resilience in the face of economic difficulties.
UNDP plays a key role in supporting MSMEs and promoting inclusive economic growth in Ukraine. Since the start of the full-scale war, UNDP, in cooperation with its partners, has intensified its support for MSMEs, which provide over two-thirds of employment in the country. Specifically, more than 1,500 entrepreneurs have received grant support, leading to the creation of more than 4,500 new jobs. Additionally, business associations supported by UNDP now represent more than 6,000 MSMEs employing over 160,000 people. UNDP also contributes to human capital development by supporting the vocational education and training (VET) system, providing training in 30 professions for over 1,240 participants and improving the infrastructure of educational institutions.
The Made in Ukraine Business Forum evolved from the East Expo exhibition, UNDP’s annual flagship business even, conducted from 2017 to 2023. Over the years, eight East Expo events were held: two regional and six national (one of them online), in Kramatorsk, Sievierodonetsk, Kyiv and Lviv. This enabled 350 Ukrainian MSMEs to present their goods and services to a wide audience. As a result, approximately 70 percent of them found clients and partners through B2B meetings held during these events, with over 13,000 people attending the exhibitions in total.
In 2024, a successful partnership with the Made in Ukraine initiative transformed the regionally focused East Expo into a nationwide business development event, the Made in Ukraine Business Forum. Supported by the Government of Japan and in collaboration with the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine, this forum is part of UNDP’s broader efforts within the “Transformational Recovery for Human Security in Ukraine” project.