🇨🇿🇺🇦 Ukrainian–Czech Chamber of Commerce Inaugurated in Kyiv

A New Platform to Support Ukrainian Companies Entering the Czech Market

Kyiv, April 1, 2025 – A new platform for deepening bilateral business relations between Ukraine and the Czech Republic was officially launched with the inaugural meeting of the Ukrainian–Czech Chamber of Commerce, held at the Premier Palace Hotel in Kyiv. The event was organized by the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (UCCI) in cooperation with the Ukrainian–Czech Business Council.

🗣️ Welcome Addresses by Distinguished Guests

The inaugural meeting of the Ukrainian–Czech Chamber of Commerce was opened with inspiring and forward-looking welcome remarks from key figures representing both the Ukrainian and Czech business and diplomatic communities, as well as international development partners.

Michaela Macharik, President of the Czech–Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce, was honored to be also invited to deliver a welcome address during the inaugural session, alongside a distinguished lineup of speakers, including:

• Gennadiy Chyzhykov, President of the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
• Vasyl Zvarych, Ambassador of Ukraine to the Czech Republic (online)
• Ladislav Horak, First Secretary, Embassy of the Czech Republic in Ukraine
• Maksym Boroda, Economic Development Project Manager, UNDP
• Martin Pospíšil, Director, Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic
• Radek Jakubský, Vice-President of the Czech Chamber of Commerce (online)
• Andriy Andriikevych, Chairman, Ukrainian–Czech Business Council

🗨️ Voices from the Ceremony

Gennadiy Chyzhykov, President of UCCI:

Vasyl Zvarych, Ambassador of Ukraine to the Czech Republic:

Martin Pospíšil, Director, Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic:

Ladislav Horak, First Secretary, Embassy of the Czech Republic in Ukraine

🔹 Highlights of the Event

The founding meeting included:

• B2B networking, company presentations, and partnership matchmaking
• A formal vote confirming the establishment of the Chamber
• Detailed discussion of support programs for 2025, especially access for Ukrainian companies to participate in Czech exhibitions under favorable terms

A Czech delegation attended, including officials from the Ministry of Industry and Trade and business leaders from the Czech Chamber of Commerce and top Czech firms.

🎯 Main Mission: Opening Czech Market Opportunities for Ukraine

While the Chamber will promote broad bilateral collaboration, its primary mission is to serve as a support hub for Ukrainian businesses looking to access the Czech market. This includes offering:

The Ukrainian–Czech Chamber of Commerce will act as a bridge, helping Ukrainian SMEs, exporters, and startups to integrate into the Czech economy and seize new opportunities across sectors.

🚀 From Vision to Reality

The concept for the new Chamber was first introduced during the Czech–Ukrainian Business Forum, supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Over the past year, coordinated efforts led to:

• The creation of the Ukrainian–Czech Business Council, now counting over 60 Ukrainian enterprises
• A Memorandum of Cooperation with Czech counterparts
• A successful delegation of 25 Ukrainian entrepreneurs to the MSV International Engineering Fair in Brno

🤝 Supported by Development Partners

The initiative is part of the “Support for the Private Sector and Resilience in Ukraine” project, implemented by UNDP Ukraine and funded by the Government of the Czech Republic. The project supports Ukrainian business integration with Czech markets, encouraging cross-border investment and industrial collaboration.