The Leipzig Chamber of Commerce and Industry has Launched a Partner Project in Western Ukraine 

A Partner Project between the Leipzig Chamber of Commerce and Industry and SMEs in Ukraine, Lviv Region, was launched on 15 April 2010 following an intensive preparation period. This Project is funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation (BMZ) and is managed jointly by the Leipzig CCI and Sequa – an organisation set up by the major business associations in Germany to implement consultancy projects in economy. The Project’s first stage is estimated to continue until 15 April 2014.

The Project focuses on improving framework conditions for the operation of small and medium enterprises by improving the stance of business associations in the Western region. The Lviv CCI, which was involved in a Partner Project between the Rheinland-Pfalz and Ukrainian Chambers of Commerce and Industry in 1994- 2000, is the major partner in this new Project.

Intensive preparations and a dialogue between the partners have  led to the formulation of the basic tasks. They include the increased efficiency of the representation of interests and extended list of services offered to the members of the CCIs and other business associations.

Setting up a partner association is another significant goal of the Project. This Association will be formed  from representatives of the Lviv CCI and other  small and medium business  entities (associations of SMEs and economic development regional agencies). With support from the Project, this Association will formulate joint problems and put together proposals as to the ways of solving them. A task force will be created for this purpose, involving delegates from partner organisations, and also CCI expert panels where delegates from enterprises will discuss various economic and political topics and develop proposals as to the best methods of solving current problems.

Another goal set by this Project is to  provide an extended list of services aimed to satisfy the requirements of the CCI membership and business associations. This will deepen the role played by the above Association as an organisation rendering services in the field of economy, due to a wider choice of consultancy and educational services that  will be offered to businessmen, contact exchanges, stronger bilateral economic relationships between German and Ukrainian companies, and various training courses for the personnel of partner organisations.

Today, the Project is under way within the Lviv region, however the experience gained will be shared with other interested CCIs and business organisations in Western Ukraine  so as to also  involve them in this Project.

The above aspects outline the Project frameworks wherein the Leipzig CCI will share its experiences gained in different sectors, without, however, suggesting ready solutions for the challenges faced by small and medium business in Ukraine. Strong, confident, and open cooperation among all partners is a necessary condition for a practical implementation of the Project framework, and the planning of joint steps to put it in place.

The Leipzig CCI is Ukraine’s Long-term Partner

The Leipzig Chamber of Commerce and Industry is the Project’s creditable partner with experience in the East European area. It represents the interests of almost 62,000 member companies in the Leipzig region, operating in industry, construction, trade, transport, services, catering, and tourism. The Chamber assists companies in undergoing  establishment procedure, solving legal issues, gaining access to foreign markets, and overcoming crises. At the same time, it represents its members’ interests with the state authorities and local governments. It is also responsible for occupational training courses and examinations.

Cooperation has developed over many years between the Leipzig CCI and East European countries. Starting from 1990, the Leipzig CCI also pays considerable attention to  Ukrainian, Russian and Belarusian markets, organising regular meetings and information exchange The Leipzig Chamber of Commerce and Industry maintains effective well-established links with a number of CCIs in these countries, and among them the Minsk Chamber in Belarus, and Moscow, St Petersburg, and Nizhny Novgorod Chambers in Russia.

 Strong cooperation has also been established with Ukrainian Chambers. Since 1994, this organisation has worked in conjunction  with the Kyiv CCI, and in 2005 began its cooperation with the Donetsk Chamber. The Leipzig CCI also offers networking opportunities to the business community in both countries. In this context, ‘Galician Days’ held in 2002 was a significant three-day event  to establish new contacts attended by almost 60 German companies and 30 enterprises operating in Western Ukraine. In 2009, the ‘Ukrainian Economy Days’ was held. Topics discussed during this event included the then economic and political situation in Ukraine, new prospects opening up for the Ukrainian state due to EURO 2012,  and the cultural traditions of both countries and the way they can promote an effective liaison. In June 2010, Ukrainian delegation visited the Leipzig CCI to attend an Energy Efficiency Forum.

A Project Office has commenced operations in the Lviv CCI to coordinate the Project. This Office welcomes questions and suggestions from companies and enterprises.

Address: The Lviv Chamber of Commerce and Industry, 14 Stryisky Park, 79011, Lviv, Ukraine

Phone:  +38 0322 95 62 74

Fax:      +38 0322 95 62 75

Mobile: +38 050 317 68 63

e-mail: project@cci.lviv.ua

Volker Stötzner, Project Manager

Olesia Stepanyshyn, Local Coordinator