On March 5, 2025, Milan hosted the preparatory business event "On the Path to URC 2025," organized by the governments of Italy and Ukraine in collaboration with ICE Agenzia and the Lombardy Regional Council. During the business forum, Italy officially joined the SME Resilience Alliance to enhance support for Ukrainian entrepreneurs.
First Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine, Minister of Economy, Yulia Svyrydenko, expressed gratitude for Italy's decision to join the alliance, making it the 37th country to support this initiative. She emphasized that the goal is to provide businesses with more opportunities for training, consulting, grants, and access to new markets. She also highlighted the importance of the alliance’s efforts in providing practical tools for Ukrainian businesses to leverage these opportunities, thus opening new avenues for collaboration between the two countries.
Italy's involvement will enhance international support for Ukrainian businesses and create new opportunities for both nations, particularly in the areas of manufacturing and creative industries. Italy's tradition of supporting producers and creative sectors will be especially valuable for Ukrainian manufacturers and initiatives.
A special session titled "The Potential Role of SMEs in the Recovery Process" focused on the crucial role small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play in Ukraine's post-war recovery. Ukrainian Deputy Minister of Economy, Tetiana Berezhna, presented the preliminary results of the Alliance’s work and announced Italy’s accession. She stressed that SMEs are the main employers in Ukraine, providing over 80% of all jobs. Ukrainian entrepreneurs have shown exceptional resilience and adaptability, and it is critical to support their efforts with financial and technical assistance, as well as opportunities to expand export potential.
The SME Resilience Alliance, launched during URC 2024 in Berlin, was created to unite international resources to support the recovery and development of SMEs. Its co-chairs are the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). The Alliance currently includes 36 members and is supporting businesses through investments, consulting, and capacity-building programs.
"Ukrainian SMEs must become the driving force behind sustainable recovery and lasting peace in the future. The SME Resilience Alliance will help achieve this goal," said Lisbeth Müller-Hofstede, Deputy Head of Task Force Ukraine, BMZ.
The "On the Path to URC 2025" event in Milan brought together over 550 Italian, Ukrainian, and international companies, along with representatives from governmental and non-governmental organizations. The event is a key step in preparing for the fourth International Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC 2025) in Rome. Panel discussions and working sessions focused on strategic development areas, including investment and access to financing, energy resilience, the green transition, and the strategic role of SMEs.
