On October 17, 2017, Poltava hosted an International Economic Forum titled “Poltava Region: Creating New Opportunities Together”. The Forum was organized with the support of PLEDDG Project. Its main goal was to foster international economic integration development, business networking, demonstrate an economic and investment potential of Poltava region, its current capacity and prospects for development, raising region’s competitive ability both at the national and international levels. The Forum was organized within the framework of a regional Program on Investment Support, Economic Cooperation Development and Creation of a Positive Image of Poltava Region for 2017-2010, which was developed by Poltava Regional Administration.
The Forum was attended by foreign and Ukrainian businessmen from the industrial and agrarian sector, manufacturers of eco-friendly and organic produce, representatives of the government, Ministries and agencies, governmental advisory bodies in charge of export promotion and attracting investment, representatives of state executive bodies and local administration, foreign diplomatic institutions, economic associations and organizations, national and international financial organizations, international technical assistance projects, Ukrainian and international experts. Participants were welcomed by Valeriy Holovko, Head of Poltava Regional Administration, and Oleksandr Bilenkyy, Head of Poltava Regional Council.
Participants took part in a plenary session and three theme-based sections: 1) Poltava’s industry – investment prospects and export potential; 2) Attracting investment and developing Poltava’s agrarian sector, in particular the manufacturing of organic and eco-friendly produce; 3) Supporting local economic development – the role of the community. Participants discussed a series of important topics, in particular decentralization reform in Ukraine in accordance with the EU policy of cohesion and solidarity, systemic modernization of production and export extension, prospects of organic market development in Ukraine, the practice of successful economic development of amalgamated territorial communities, possibilities of the International Trade Chamber for national business, etc.
A new investment portal of Poltava region, which will serve as an interactive online tool of cooperation between the local government and potential investors, was presented at the Forum. The investment portal was created with financial support from PLEDDG Project. It was presented to the audience by Kadie Ward, Senior Governance Advisor of PLEDDG Project. The driving force behind the Investment Portal of Poltava region was to a desire to let potential investors see a huge economic potential of Poltava region, its investment attractiveness and prospects for increasing Poltava’s export potential.
A trade fair organized during the Forum demonstrated the economic and investment potential of Poltava region, including investment proposals of the region, local companies and manufacturers-exporters as well as winning projects of the Call of Proposals called “Poltava horizons”, initiated by Poltava State Regional Administration.
