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VITALIY MAISTRENKO: “WE ENTER INTERNATIONAL MARKETS AND CHANGE THE VECTORS OF FOREIGN ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES ALONG WITH UKRAINIAN ENTERPRISES”
– How does the Kyiv Chamber of Commerce and Industry contribute to the better reputation of Ukrainian exporters?
– 2016 was a hard year for business and industry representatives. They had to work in conditions of a deep financial crisis, the loss of Eastern markets; for most Ukrainian manufacturers that meant changing the vector of foreign economic activities and searching for new markets.
Since January 1, 2016, the Association between Ukraine and the EU came into force, which gave us the possibility to open European markets for our manufacturers. However, accessing those markets is not enough. Those markets need to be incorporated into Ukraine’s activities, which can be done only by means of competitive products.
Therefore, the current most important goal for both the government and the CCI system is to create a favorable environment and assist Ukrainian manufacturers while entering the European, Asian, African, and other markets.
First of all, we try to hold such events that assist our exporters and contribute to their reputation.
So, in 2015, in association with the Kyiv City State Administration, the Chamber introduced a local award competition “Best Exporter of the Year”. More than 70 exporters within Kyiv participated in two years. The winners were awarded diplomas and “Best Exporter of the Year” signs by the Mayor V.V. Klitshko in 2015 and the Vice Mayor Plis G.V. in May 2016.
Awarding the 14 diplomas in 2016 took place within the framework of the International Exporter Forum held in the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. This event contributes to the reputation and prestige of Ukrainian exporters.
The Chamber actively participated in the Kyiv Investment Forum, conducted on November 23, 2016. This event dealt with presentations of Kyiv manufacturers’ investment projects and involving entrepreneurs into panels at the forum.
– Which actions within the Kyiv Chamber of Commerce and Industry are directed at the assistance of local exporters?
– The Kyiv Chamber of Commerce and Industry organizes national expositions of Ukrainian manufacturers at the largest exhibitions in the world.
As a matter of fact, Ukrainian food producers presented their national stands in Dubai (UAE), Barcelona (Spain), Tehran (Iran), Paris (France). I want to emphasize that our manufacturers had a great success in the exhibitions.
Associated with the International Trade Club, the Chamber also holds annual events. Those are bilateral meetings between our business representatives and representatives of trade companies from other countries who are accredited in Ukraine and have they embassies on our territory. In such a manner, our domestic entrepreneurs have the opportunity to meet and develop some business bonds with diplomatic missions from abroad.
– Which international projects are carried out in Ukraine in favor of small and medium businesses?
– Last year, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development announced a competition in the large-scale program “EU for Business” for creating a chain of regional centers in Ukraine which would assist small and medium businesses. EBRD plans to open 15 regional centers, including Kyiv.
The Kyiv Chamber of Commerce and Industry participated in this competition by giving specific proposals on their assistance of businesses in Kyiv.
On December 13, 2016, EBRD announced the results of this competition in Kharkov, according to which the Kyiv Chamber of Commerce and Industry won the competition by creating a Centre of Business Assistance in Kyiv.
Thus, together with EBRD, we plan to organize the activities of the Center in the first quarter of 2017.
The “EU for Business” program anticipates providing services, such as advanced trainings for small and medium businesses, the analysis of small and medium business market opportunities, information campaigns, conferences, round tables and other events.