The EU funded Project on Support to the Development of Business Capacity of Ukrainian SMEs – International Dimension announced its launch in Kyiv oblast today at the “Ukrainskiy Chas” press center in Kyiv. The project is being initiated together with the State Committee of Ukraine for Regulatory Policy and Entrepreneurship (SCURPE), which will act as the Project’s main beneficiary.The Project will be implemented by the WYG International led Consortium mainly in three oblasts: L’viv, Kyiv and Kharkiv of Ukraine and will last for two years. WYG International is the international arm of White Young Green plc. It is a UK-based, international management consultancy and economic development advisory group with registered companies in Turkey, Russia, Poland, Belgium, and Romania; country offices in Egypt, South Africa and Ukraine, and a network of project offices around the world.
The project activities will be divided into three components:
- Improvement of the state policy in the sphere of SME support development, providing policy advice to SCURPE and other government bodies;
- Facilitation of commercial links with EU companies and other foreign enterprises, providing technical assistance to Ukrainian SMEs in export and investment promotion and attracting foreign investment;
- Increasing awareness of business internationalization in the public and SME sectors.
“The European Commission has been actively involved in supporting the development of a successful economy in Ukraine and this project is yet another stepping stone,” said Ken Nachbar, project Team Leader. “We recognize the role that small businesses play in providing jobs locally and boosting economic activity critical to the future development of the economy. This is especially important in light of the Ukraine’s recent accession to the WTO and upcoming negotiations for the deep free-trade relations with the European Union.”
The project team has designed a methodology for selection of SMEs in cooperation with SCURPE, business associations and Chambers of Commerce. The methodology is based on a detailed analysis of sectoral strengths in Ukraine, the existence of business clusters, the exporting and investment performance of businesses, the geographical concentrations of targeted businesses and on the potential an SME has for accelerated growth.
The businesses will be required to apply to receive support from the project. The best candidates will then be selected based on pre-defined criteria:
- Membership in priority sector
- Size of company (SME)
- Established in selected oblasts / regions
- Business marketability to foreign partners
- Interest in developing or expanding business partnerships with foreign partners.
SMEs in the following sectors will receive support from the project:
- Woodworking / furniture
- Information technologies
- Machine building / equipment manufacture
The selected SMEs will receive consultancy and training to improve management skills, to enhance business performance and to assure their compliance with international business practices.
Presenting at the Press Conference were Ken Nachbar, Team Leader of the EU Funded Project "Support to the Development of Business Capacity of Ukrainian SME – International Dimension" and Grigorios Kontzoglou, Project Manager, Delegation of the European Commission to Ukraine.
