Monday 20 March 2023

LCCI is pleased to support the Department for Business and Trade’s ‘Road to URC’ event today. This meeting marks the beginning of a number of events leading up to the international Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC) in July.

By creating strong links between international financial institutions, the private sector and civil society, we will lay the all-important foundations for economic recovery and transformation, as well as social stabilisation in Ukraine. Private sector participation in the reconstruction process is key, and today’s launch of comprehensive guidance on doing business with Ukraine is welcomed. UK businesses interested in supporting reconstruction in Ukraine through the provision of specialist skill, knowledge and expertise can sign up here.

London’s businesses have strong ties with the Ukrainian business community. In January 2023, CEO Richard Burge joined a delegation to Lviv and Kyiv from the City of London, who met with businesses across the country and witnessed the devastating impact of the war on lives, trade and commerce. Support from, and partnerships with, British businesses will be critical to their success in the medium to long term.

We’re pleased to see today’s inking of a new Digital Trade Agreement with Ukraine, which will significantly simplify trading processes between the two countries and provide services vital to Ukraine’s economic recovery. LCCI also welcomes the extension of the removal of tariffs on Ukrainian products until March 2024, which will help Ukrainian businesses to export their goods to UK.

Richard Burge, Chief Executive of London Chamber of Commerce and Industry said: “I saw first-hand the incredible resilience of Ukrainian businesses and the innovative solutions being piloted to overcome the unimaginable challenges brought on by Russia’s brutal invasion. Today’s event is an important opportunity to mobilise international support for Ukraine’s long-term reconstruction and recovery. The UK’s business community has a huge amount of skill and expertise to contribute to this endeavour, and we will continue to work with the Department for Business and Trade to lay the all-important foundation for Ukraine’s transformation."

ENDS