"Assistance from international partners is critically important for relocated businesses, as it provides financial resources for adaptation, job creation, and production resumption. It contributes to the economic stability of Ukraine, allowing companies to continue operating in safe regions, retain personnel, and innovative capabilities," said Oleksiy Kharchenko, the head of Luhansk Region, who chaired the event.
The dialogue was joined by People's Deputy of Ukraine Ruslan Horbenko, representatives of the Embassy of Ukraine in the Czech Republic, territorial divisions of central executive bodies and military administrations of settlements in the region.
The participants were welcomed by People's Deputy of Ukraine Ruslan Gorbenko and Executive Director of the Association of Relocated Business of Ukraine Olena Gordon.
"The relocated business has already stood its ground! Our task is to create conditions for its development and scaling. Our slogan: Uniting for the sake of development!" - assured Olena Gordon.
She emphasized that the association sees systemic problems: there is no definition of "relocated business" at the legislative level, which leads to restrictions on the rights of entrepreneurs who have moved to the controlled territory. Therefore, advocacy is the main direction of the association's activities.
The participants of the event were presented with opportunities to participate in the "UE 4 Recovery" project, which provides a basis for business development and creates conditions for attracting investment.
It was also informed that the regional state administration has joined two projects of the Interreg Europe program, which relate to the implementation of innovations in construction and the creation of medical equipment.
Oleksandra Yanushevska, Economic Advisor at the Embassy of Ukraine in the Czech Republic, spoke about the prospects for cooperation between Ukraine, in particular the Luhansk region, and the Czech Republic. During her speech, she paid special attention to industrial cooperation with Czech enterprises.
The second panel of the event was dedicated to opportunities for Ukrainian business in the Italian market.
The keynote speaker was Oksana Filonenko, Vice President of the Association “Made in Ukraine for Italy”. She focused the attention of business representatives on real opportunities and practical tools for starting your own business in the Italian Republic.
Practical cases of entering the Italian market were shared by members of this Association: Denis Unguryan, head of the Italian representative office of the company "Ekipazh" (manufacturer of metal-plastic and aluminum structures, windows and doors), and Anastasia Kornienko, founder of the brand "Natanael" (children's clothing and handmade accessories).
Valeriy Dobrovolsky, director of the Economic Recovery and Employment Project of the Partnership for a Strong Ukraine Foundation ( https://pfru.org.ua/ua/ ), provided entrepreneurs with comprehensive information about the opportunities for communities to receive support in creating a better business environment.
At the last panel of the Forum, enterprises from the Luhansk region shared their own experience of cooperation with international donors.
Darya Vinnyk, Marketing Director of Rubizhanska Pantyhose Manufactory LLC, told their stories of resuming activities in relocation.
Igor Bondarenko, co-founder of AGK Ukraine LLC, as well as Elina Yurchenko, co-owner of AGRODAR SFG.
Director of the Department of Economic Development and Foreign Economic Activity of the Regional State Administration, Ihor Kudenko, recommended that entrepreneurs, if they have any problematic issues, use the capabilities of the state platform for digital interaction between business and government - "Pulse" ( https://pulse.gov.ua ).
Summing up the Forum's work, Oleksiy Kharchenko thanked entrepreneurs for participating in the event and called for further cooperation between business and the authorities in resolving problematic issues.
Useful contacts based on the results of the Forum:
Embassy of Ukraine in the Czech Republic - Oleksandra Yanushevska, Counselor for Economic Affairs, e-mail: oleksandra.yanushevska@mfa.gov.ua , mobile: +380976989338.
Association "Made in Ukraine for Italy", Monza, Italy - Oksana Filonenko, vice president, email: artecultura@madeinukraine.it , mobile tel: +393342012239, +380677761176.
Partnership for a Strong Ukraine Foundation (PFSU) - Valeriy Dobrovolsky, Director of the Economic Recovery and Employment Project, e-mail: vdobrovolski@chemonics.com .
Lydia Sagaydak, advisor to the FPSU Foundation for Donetsk and Luhansk regions, e-mail: lsagaydak@chemonics.com .
