Olena Kutsai: Our Kyiv office is ready to help Finnish companies enter Ukraine

EK and the EastCham chamber of commerce have together established an office in Kyiv this spring. The purpose of the office is to help Finnish companies to participate in the reconstruction of Ukraine and launch their activities in Ukraine. We are proud to introduce the head of the Kyiv office  –  Olena Kutsai. She is a well-networked business professional who is experienced in counselling companies. Olena Kutsai is also active in anti-corruption work.

Olena – great to introduce you to Finnish companies! First of all, is this the right moment for companies to start investigating the Ukrainian market?

The answer is yes – there is an acute momentum to participate in reconstruction projects right now.

The process is well underway: many countries and their companies are already actively and concretely entering the market, for instance companies from Sweden, Denmark, Germany and Poland.

A lot of western expertise is needed to succeed in the hundreds-billion-dollar reconstruction task. All in all, we talk about the “world’s largest construction site”.

There is much potential for Finnish companies to contribute to the reconstruction and establish their presence in Ukraine. Our Kyiv office is there to assist you to take the first steps.

What does Ukraine expect from Finnish companies? Where do you see the most potential for us?

The slogan for Ukraine’s reconstruction is: “build back better, build back greener”. This is a perfect match for Finland!

There is a great demand for Finnish companies in areas such as energy efficiency, infrastructure and telecommunications networks, water and waste management, green tech, civil protection, as well as construction of hospitals, schools and housing.

At the same time, Finnish expertise also helps our country to become a modern, digital and environmentally sustainable member of the European Union.

What concrete services does the Kyiv office offer to Finnish companies?

The Kyiv office helps Finnish companies with the market entry. We help you to navigate in the Ukrainian business environment: how to get started, find the right partners and enter the reconstruction projects. We assist in establishing necessary contacts both in the private sector and on the state /municipal level.

For EK’s member companies, we also provide services completely free of charge: webinars and other briefings, even personal assistance by Teams and peer-to-peer sparring.  (Please see below in more detail.)

How is business life in Ukraine and now? What should Finnish companies be prepared for in Kyiv?

Most of the time we can concentrate on our professional activities pretty much like before the war. The business community is very used to this new normal and things run actually very smoothly.  For emergency situations we have clear safety procedures which are easy to follow.  Kyiv is one of the most protected cities in Ukraine.

Once you have decided to launch your business activities in Ukraine, sooner or later it is good to visit the country in person. Our Kyiv office is there to assist you to take the first steps.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Olena! Is there something you want to add to conclude?

One more word of encouragement: Finland and Finnish companies have an extremely positive brand in Ukraine. We are more than happy to see you in Ukraine!

Free of charge services to member companies of Finnish Industries EK

• “Rebuild Ukraine Update from Kyiv” webinars and briefings. Next webinar October 9 – see the program and register.  
• Company-specific sparring remotely (1-2 times per company). Book an appointment at olena.kutsai@eastcham.fi
• Peer sparring of company groups on a quarterly basis

Open for all Finnish companies

• Ukraine Reconstruction Forum led by the Finnish Industries EK
• Brings together Finnish business, public sector decision makers as well as funding institutions involved in Ukraine reconstruction.

Article in Finnish.