A regional office for "Made in Ukraine" has started operating in Odessa, established at the Odessa Regional Employment Center. This marks the ninth branch of the "Made in Ukraine" platform, a comprehensive program aimed at supporting Ukrainian manufacturers and strengthening the national economy. Entrepreneurs can receive consultations regarding participation in government business support programs at these offices.
The Odessa office was opened through the cooperation of the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine, the Government of Japan, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the State Employment Service, and the Odessa Regional Employment Center. This initiative is particularly significant for the region, which has suffered almost daily from Russian shelling, with nearly 300 civilian infrastructure objects damaged or destroyed by 2023. Despite these challenges, the Odessa region's economy is striving to survive and adapt. Amidst logistical difficulties and power supply limitations due to ongoing conflicts, 99,400 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) continue to operate in the region, with over 5,000 new businesses starting last year.
"Rebuilding Ukraine's destroyed infrastructure and economy, as well as ensuring the security and defense sector, is impossible without the development of entrepreneurship. Odessa has repeatedly been targeted by Russia since the beginning of the full-scale invasion. Despite systematic enemy shelling, entrepreneurs continue to work, provide jobs, and contribute financially to the state budget through taxes. The opening of the regional 'Made in Ukraine' office will enable more local businesses to engage in state support programs," stated First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of Ukraine Yulia Svyrydenko.
The "Made in Ukraine" regional offices are inclusive spaces planned to be opened in all employment centers across the country to enhance communication between the state and businesses. Here, entrepreneurs can learn about and register for state and regional support programs, receive training on starting or developing their businesses, learn to apply for grants, and obtain qualified assistance in interactions with government agencies, banks, and other institutions.
UNDP's Permanent Representative in Ukraine, Yakup Silla, highlighted the over 10-year cooperation between the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine and UNDP.
"We consistently support the Ukrainian Government's efforts to build the economy, with the development of the private sector always being a priority. Our comprehensive approach combines direct support in the form of grants and infrastructure solutions with capacity building for entrepreneurs by improving access to services. The 'Made in Ukraine' offices, equipped with generous support from Japan, integrate these approaches to foster the development of the business environment in the country," Silla stated.
Additional Information
The Odessa "Made in Ukraine" office was equipped with the assistance of UNDP in Ukraine in collaboration with the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine, the State Employment Service, and the Odessa Regional Employment Center under the "Transformative Recovery for People’s Safety in Ukraine" project, financially supported by the Government of Japan.
