UK and Ukrainian governments launch programme to boost trade between tech businesses

The UK and Ukrainian governments have launched a new initiative aimed at facilitating commercially-driven partnerships and growth in both country's technology sectors as well as supporting Ukraine's recovery from the war with Russia.

The UK-Ukraine TechBridge delivers a series of virtual "missions" in priority sectors such as healthtech, agritech and fintech to encourage relationships between high potential Ukrainian businesses and UK tech firms and investors.

Several UK-based tech companies including Cisco, Oracle and Salesforce are providing free online training as well as in-person and online expert discussions for Ukrainian businesses looking to develop their skills.

Planned events include the UK-UKraine TechBridge Conference in London on 14-15 March, and an investment accelerator will be set up to support Ukrainian technology SMEs to expand their businesses.

The initiative follows the signing of the UK-Ukraine Digital Trade Agreement in November 2023.

Minister for industry and economic security Nusrat Ghani said:

"As minister for Ukraine reconstruction, I am delighted to be launching this fantastic programme, building connections between the UK and Ukraine tech companies.

"Ukraine's tech sector has provided crucial support throughout the war and is key to the country's resilience and future recovery.

"By building partnerships between British and Ukrainian businesses and promoting innovation, we are demonstrating the power of trade, and are helping lay the foundations for Ukraine's long-term recovery opening up future opportunities for businesses on both sides."

Ukraine deputy minister of digital transformation Oleksandr Bornyakov added:

"The UK-Ukraine TechBridge is a platform that brings together the potential and the expertise of both Ukrainian and UK's tech sectors.

"Its launch provides crucial support for Ukraine's IT industry.

"I am confident that, through the UK-Ukraine TechBridge, numerous large-scale joint projects will be implemented, setting an example of successful, mutually beneficial international partnership for other countries."

Other ways UK businesses can support Ukraine

Last year, the Ukraine Business Compact, described as "a declarative and non-binding statement of international business support for Ukraine's recovery", was launched at a conference in London.

Many UK small firms are supporting Ukraine as Enterprise Nation highlighted in March 2022 with an extensive list of small business fundraising activities.

The United Nations (UN) has previously encouraged businesses around the world to back Ukraine. Among its advice is the following:

"Support Ukrainian-born businesses with your wallet. For example, if your company is using Grammarly, start paying for their subscription rather than continuing to use the free version. Also consider employing skilled Ukrainian employees and sponsoring their visa to work safely in the UK."