Ukrainian industry representative Svetlana Kutseva met with companies and partners in Helsinki

The Ukrainian League of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (ULIE) is the Ukrainian equivalent of the Finnish Confederation of Finnish Industries. Svetlana Kutseva, ULIE’s Vice President, spent a week in Helsinki in October as a guest of Finnpartnership, meeting with key Finnish organisations regarding Ukraine’s reconstruction and with many companies.

Kutseva’s visit was timed to allow her to meet with construction companies at the Finnbuild fair. Many of the Finnish companies received important practical advice on the spot. “Legislation, practices in tendering processes and finding the right partners are all areas where ULIE can help. Our aim is to operate on a one-stop-shop basis, so that all the answers can be found smoothly in one place,” says Kutseva.

At the “Growth from Ukraine” event at Sanomatalo on 10 October, Kutseva’s speech gave the audience an insight into everyday life in Ukraine and the services that ULIE offers to Finnish companies. Her main message was that business representatives need to come to Ukraine to make contacts – Ukrainian entrepreneurs currently do not visit many international events.

“I was impressed by Helsinki and the Finns,” says Kutseva. “People are really the most important capital of a country.” While there are needs and business opportunities in all sectors, she wants to remind people of the importance of taking into account the functions that will be crucial to reconstruction once the displaced start returning to Ukraine. “People need hospitals, schools, kindergartens. They need a reliable and responsible energy supply. These are areas where Finland has a lot of expertise.”

In addition to industry expertise, Kutseva highlights the Finnish knowledge in corporate governance. “It is a pre-requisite for the future of Ukraine’s recovery, sustainable development and EU as well as OECD full-fledged membership,” she says. “Finland may share its know-how with Ukraine on how to be among global top in food security, civil protection and, ultimately, on how to become the happiest country in the world.”