Ukraine and UN hold trade fair to boost opportunities for Ukrainian businesses

The Procurement and Suppliers Fair, organized jointly by the United Nations in Ukraine, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, and the Kyiv Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has opened in Kyiv.

Rubryka reports that the fair aims to improve the awareness of Ukrainian entrepreneurs about the types of goods and services that the UN will purchase in 2023, explain how to apply for participation in UN procurement processes and discuss with representatives of the government and the private sector how some critical legislative changes can increase the market share of Ukrainian businesses in the spending of international organizations.

The procurement and suppliers fair gathered over 350 representatives of Ukrainian businesses offline and more than 300 online. Last year, the volume of UN purchases in Ukraine from Ukrainian enterprises amounted to more than $510 million, and this indicator is expected to grow even more in 2023.

Key procurement sectors for the UN include construction, food processing, transport, and logistics. The UN wants to increase the number of suppliers from different areas across the country and attract more businesses owned by women and people with disabilities. Procurement by international organizations can also catalyze economic recovery and sustainability of small and medium-sized enterprises in Ukraine.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs systematically helps Ukrainian businesses. I'm convinced that the goods and services the UN purchases to help Ukrainians should be purchased locally in Ukraine as much as possible," said Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba. "This assistance will create incentives for the recovery of the national economy. At the same time, we aim to significantly increase the share of Ukrainian suppliers not only in local but also in global UN purchases. Ukrainian business is competitive, meets world standards, and can offer good quality goods and services at an acceptable price."

"Ukrainian business will continue to play a key role in the country's reconstruction. Investment and development will help create jobs that people need. With the help of this fair, the UN aims to deepen our existing cooperation with the business community," said Denise Brown, Coordinator of the UN System in Ukraine.

"Today, I am addressing our Ukrainian manufacturers participating in the Fair. You have a unique opportunity to receive firsthand full information about the procurement system of UN agencies, programs, and funds, learn about the requirements to participate successfully in tenders, and discuss other pressing cooperation issues. You will also have the opportunity to hold individual meetings to communicate directly with representatives of the organization," said the president of the Kyiv Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mykola Zasulskyi.

During the event, representatives of the Ukrainian private sector also learned about the UN Global Marketplace, with the help of which the United Nations annually purchases goods and services worth more than $30 billion. The platform is a "one-stop" to the world of UN procurement, with the help of which companies can track tender announcements and submit proposals. It is a unique platform where all UN agencies publish their procurement requests.

With 24 agencies and nearly 3,000 staff, the UN in Ukraine is committed to partnering with the private sector for humanitarian response, recovery, and reconstruction.

To learn more about United Nations procurement activities and broader assistance to the private sector in Ukraine, see the fact sheet.