🇨🇿🤝🇺🇦 One year after its establishment, the Czech-Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce held its General Assembly in Prague this May, marking an important milestone in the development of our growing community!
We were particularly pleased by the exceptionally strong engagement of our members. More than 65% of our 90 members cast their votes directly – without proxies – through the transparent ElectionBuddy online voting system.
Our Vice President Dr. Markus Ciupek welcomed the guests and members, while keynote remarks were delivered by H.E. Vasyl Zvarych, Ambassador of Ukraine to the Czech Republic 🇺🇦, Martin Pospíšil, Director of the Department of European Countries from the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic 🇨🇿 and by Andrii Levkovych, Honorary Consul of the Czech Republic for Ivano-Frankivsk and Chernivtsi in Ukraine.
President Michaela Macharik officially opened the General Assembly and presented a review of the Chamber’s activities during its first twelve months.
From business delegations and conferences, trade fairs to networking events, humanitarian initiatives, newsletters, webinars, our own book Invest in Ukraine!, workshops and support for Ukraine’s reconstruction, it has been an intensive and successful first year.
25 partnerships, 6 signed memorandums, 3 webinars, 1 workshop, 11 members visits, 11 partnered events, 21 events represented, 3 exhibition fairs participation, 11 email newsletters, 9 newsletters Pulse of Ukraine, and almost 1300 LinkedIn Chamber site subscribers!
The Vice President Dr. Ciupek then presented the planned activities and strategic priorities for the upcoming period, with a focus on expanding membership, increasing bilateral trade, supporting investments and strengthening cooperation in strategic and dual-use industries. 🏭⚙️🛡️ The plan is to gain min. 40 active members within next year.
Before the networking reception, members had the opportunity to hear from two outstanding guests.
Markéta Smočková from EGAP 🇨🇿 shared practical insights into export insurance and financing solutions and, importantly, spoke about her day-to-day work processing insurance applications for companies active in Ukraine and other international markets.
We were also honored to welcome Jana Dvořáková from foundation SANAE, who presented inspiring examples of humanitarian and development cooperation in Ukraine, focusing on community-based services, mental health support, deinstitutionalization and trauma-informed care ❤️🏥. Her work highlights the importance of building resilient communities and supporting vulnerable groups during and after the war. We are happy we could support financially such organisation.
We were particularly encouraged by the number and quality of candidates who applied for the Supervisory Board. After only one year of activity, this strong interest is a testament to the confidence and trust that our members place in the Chamber. Following presentations by the candidates, members elected the new Supervisory Board.
Members elected 5 of them: Mr. Petr Krumphanzl from Ukraine Recovery Fund, Mr. Michael Marchuk from Hemp Ukraine, Mr. Andrii Levkovych – Honorary Consul of Czech Republic for Ivano-Frankivsk and Chernivtsi and President of Ivano-Frankivsk Chamber of Industry & Commerce, Mr. Petr Baše, CEO of Swiss Helvetas in Ukraine and Mr. Arnošt Líbezný from Boson Distribution SE.
Board elected as their Advisor Mr. Radim Kovács from Renomia.
👏 A heartfelt thank you to everyone for your support, trust and active participation – both online and in person.
The evening concluded with informal networking and discussions among members and guests, further strengthening the bonds within our growing Czech-Ukrainian business community.
Together, we are building not only a chamber, but a vibrant Czech-Ukrainian platform connecting business, investment and friendship between our two countries. 🇨🇿❤️🇺🇦
"General Assembly of the Chamber Marks One Year of Trust and One Shared Mission: Building a Strong Czech-Ukrainian Business Community"
