UNIC organized a series of practical seminars for entrepreneurs working in Western Ukraine on the topic of business scaling during the war

In October-November 2023, UNIC conducted a series of regional business events on the theme "Transparent business and the reconstruction of Ukraine: are there chances for scaling during the war," held in Lviv, Lutsk, and Ivano-Frankivsk. The events were implemented with the support of UNDP in Ukraine and funding from the Government of Japan.

Approximately 100 owners of small and medium-sized Ukrainian businesses attended the events to discuss pressing issues of scaling and exchange practical experiences related to the use of investment attraction tools. Additionally, participants had the opportunity to engage in small group discussions with leading business development specialists to address challenges for SMEs, investor requirements for business operations, and the significance of business reputation and integrity when dealing with Ukrainian and foreign partners.

Key concerns raised by the audience included funding acquisition, implementing compliance tools during wartime, significant logistical challenges due to infrastructure destruction, export impediments, tax issues, and the increasing loss of human resources due to the war and securing jobs for individuals facing limited opportunities.

Antonina Prudko, Head of the UNIC Secretariat, highlighted that despite numerous challenges, businesses remain the primary driving force for economic recovery, job creation, and the sustainable development of Ukraine. "Conducting such explanatory events for SMEs is of particular importance in providing businesses with the necessary tools to attract foreign financing, gain access to international markets, and participate in the economic recovery and reconstruction projects of our country," emphasized Antonina Prudko.

According to Serhiy Derkach, Deputy Minister of Community Development, Territories, and Infrastructure of Ukraine, business integrity is a crucial principle in Ukraine's recovery process: "It is extremely important that the issue of integrity is raised more and more today, thanks to training, seminars, and public events. We constantly talk about the integrity of officials and the state, but it is also important to create conditions for the spread of integrity practices among businesses because their role in recovery is no less important than that of the state. The priorities in recovery processes, along with transparency and accountability, are the integrity of all involved parties, so we thank the entrepreneurs who joined these training sessions for their interest and proactivity in conducting business with integrity."

Anastasia Korobai, an anti-corruption specialist at UNDP in Ukraine, added, "UNDP in Ukraine supports various initiatives that aim to strengthen the capacity of small and medium-sized enterprises and promote the spread of best practices for building a compliance system and transparent business conduct. UNIC's regional events have become another step on the way to improving business conditions in Ukraine."

UNIC sincerely thanks the event speakers for their insightful expert speeches, the participants for their active engagement, and the partners who supported the event: UCU Business School, Volyn Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Business Kitchen, UNDP in Ukraine and the Government of Japan, the Ministry of Community Development, Territories, and Infrastructure of Ukraine, the Office for the Development of Entrepreneurship and Export, the national project Diia.Business, and the company "SKF Ukraine" - a UNIC member company, the Volyn regional union of employers' organizations.