EU accession is the biggest economic deal Ukraine can make: Taras Kachka

On 9 July, Kyiv hosted the 2nd International Trade Forum, bringing together representatives of public authorities, businesses, international partners and the expert community to discuss the implementation of Ukraine’s Export Strategy to 2030, trade development and Ukraine’s integration into the European Union’s Single Market.

Opening the forum, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine Taras Kachka stressed that Ukrainian businesses have demonstrated their ability to adapt to the unprecedented challenges of the full-scale war and continue to develop despite significant damage to production facilities and logistical constraints.

According to him, the adoption of Ukraine’s Export Strategy to 2030 marks an important step in shaping state export support policy based on the practical experience and needs of businesses.

The Deputy Prime Minister emphasised that trade development, industrial policy and manufacturing are increasingly viewed as interconnected elements of the country’s economic development.

As part of the event, Taras Kachka also took part in the panel discussion “Ukraine’s Trade Policy during EU Accession”, which focused on foreign trade development, regulatory changes for businesses and the prospects for integrating Ukraine’s economy into the European economic area.

Particular attention was paid to the impact of Ukraine’s EU accession on foreign trade and Ukrainian companies’ access to international markets.

Taras Kachka stressed that European integration is also Ukraine’s largest economic project.

“We often speak of accession to the European Union as a political or geopolitical decision. But for business, joining the EU is the biggest economic deal Ukraine can make. Today, the European Union is our largest trading partner and a key source of technology, investment and industrial cooperation. Membership will open up far greater opportunities for Ukrainian companies to integrate into European and global value chains,” he said.

According to the Deputy Prime Minister, integration into the EU Single Market will create additional opportunities for trade with Member States while also expanding access to other international markets through the EU’s network of trade agreements with countries across the world.

Forum participants discussed economic diplomacy and support for exporters abroad, promoting the production of competitive goods, developing export finance mechanisms, and strengthening the international positioning of Ukrainian goods and services. The programme featured five thematic panel discussions involving representatives of the Ukrainian Government, businesses, international organisations and European partners.

The 2nd International Trade Forum was organised by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine jointly with the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine, with expert and organisational support from UNDP in Ukraine and the Government of Japan; the Foundation for Support of Reforms in Ukraine under the STEP IN 2 EU international cooperation programme, co-financed by the Governments of Germany and Norway; the European Union through the ReACT4UA / EU4Business initiative, with support from Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH; and with the assistance of the Ukrainian Industry Expertise, Advanter Group, the Institute for Economic Research and Policy Consulting, the Entrepreneurship and Export Promotion Office, the Export Credit Agency, the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Federation of Employers of Ukraine, and other business associations.