PLEDDG Project seeks to contribute to favorable business climate, business infrastructure development and establishment of efficient business-and-authorities interaction in partner cities. In this context, business associations play a key role.
On July 18th, in Kyiv, PLEDDG Project jointly with Export Promotion Office held a roundtable discussion on “Business Associations in Ukraine: Opportunities and Challenges”. Participants discussed the role of local business associations in supporting and development of small and medium-sized enterprises. The event welcomed about 60 representatives from various business associations.
The event was officially opened by Oleksandr Kucherenko, Director of PLEDDG Project, Kadie Ward, PLEDDG Senior Governance Advisor, and Mariana Kahaniak, Head of Export Promotion Office.
During the roundtable, participants were introduced to a number of business associations, particularly, Ukrainian Union of Entrepreneurs, Ukrainian Association of Furniture Manufacturers, and Ukrainian Organic Cluster. There were masterclasses on best practices of business associations in development of new services and involvement of new members, as well as on elaboration of the export-oriented strategy for sectoral business association development.
Valeriy Kokot, PLEDDG Senior Expert in Business Development, presented an analytical report on “The Level of Engagement and Interest in Joining an Association of Local Business Representatives across 16 PLEDDG Partner Cities”. The research highlights the important role business associations play in activization of small and medium-sized entrepreneurship development and presents Ukrainian best practices in formation and development of business associations.