The economic revival of Ukraine is one of the most important challenges of our time, not only for our country but also for others. More than ever before, Ukraine's economic success depends on its ability to integrate cutting-edge technologies, develop scientific research, and invest in human capital. Despite difficulties, Ukraine is rapidly advancing towards leadership in the field of innovation. Today, the revival of the economy is driven by the synergy of innovation and human capital. On June 21, within the walls of the Ukrainian House in Washington, D.C., at the event "Ukraine's Economic Revival: Innovation and Human Capital," distinguished speakers from various countries, including Oksana Markarova, Ambassador of Ukraine to the USA, and James Golsen, Deputy Director General of the U.S. Commercial Service, shared their thoughts on the key role of innovation and human capital in Ukraine's recovery. The event featured keynote speeches, presentations, and sessions focused on leveraging Ukraine's greatest assets and exploring cooperation opportunities with Ukrainian businesses.
As part of the SelectUSA 2024 summit, the event brought together a Ukrainian delegation of experts from various industries, consisting of over 30 mature companies and startups representing the country's technological and innovative ecosystem.
“We are proud to be part of this outstanding delegation and honored to be represented at today's event. The significance of today's event cannot be overstated. It has created an important platform for presenting Ukrainian businesses and addressing the various challenges they face daily. From personnel issues to innovations in robotics manufacturing and the development of advanced industries, the event covered a wide range of topics in two comprehensive sessions,” - said Valerіі Іakovenko, CEO and managing partner of DroneUA.
Overall, the main focus of the discussions was on seizing opportunities that emerged during the most challenging times for the Ukrainian economy, thanks to the flexibility, creativity, and ambitions of Ukrainian business leaders.
“Today, Ukraine is one of the leading players in the field of electronic components and robotics manufacturing. This position underscores the potential for future partnerships in electronics manufacturing with the USA,” - emphasized Valerіі Іakovenko.
The event also provided valuable insights from representatives of other innovative businesses regarding the prospects of Ukrainian companies in the American market. Ukrainian business representatives at the event could be divided into two groups. The first group explores the opportunities of entering the American market, studying its capacity, requirements, and needs. The second group consists of companies that have already recognized Ukraine as an attractive partner for supplying equipment, services, or participating in global manufacturing partnerships.
“Currently, we see two parts of Ukrainian business: those who are just beginning to consider the USA as a gateway to the global market, and those who are already actively working and deepening their cooperation with the USA. Most of the event's guests were participants in the SelectUSA 2024 Investment Summit. This summit provides mature companies and startups with a unique opportunity to experience the level of government support available in the USA. Commercial institutions and various economic development offices in each state essentially compete for the presence of new companies and partners in their markets. This experience should be used to scale our own businesses and shared as essential for Ukrainian government institutions, especially during Ukraine's recovery,” - analyzed Valerіі Іakovenko, CEO and managing partner of DroneUA.
The SelectUSA 2024 Summit highlighted the opportunities at the state level for opening significant investment avenues and expanding the activities of Ukrainian businesses on the global stage through collaboration with public and private institutions in the USA.
The event, "Ukraine's Economic Revival: Innovation and Human Capital," took place at the Ukrainian House – a cultural center created by the Ukrainian embassy in the USA. This venue underscores the importance of technological diplomacy, where Ukrainian enterprises and even individual engineers become ambassadors of Ukraine on the world stage. They engage in small discussions, sharing the daily experiences gained in Ukraine.
The Ukrainian embassy in the USA, with its regulated approach to involving representatives of various industries and spreading Ukrainian perspectives, plays a key role. However, the Ukrainian House in Washington allows for more flexible communication of our ideas and presence on the global communication stage. The collaboration between the Ukrainian House and the embassy serves as a model for similar public relations, communication, and events in other allied countries of Ukraine.
"Focusing on innovation and strengthening the direction of education, science, and innovation at the Ukrainian House is a significant step forward. It is important to discuss the significance of innovation and science not only in the traditional sense, where obtaining a diploma takes years, but also in the context of the current situation in Ukraine. After winning on the battlefield and confirming independence, Ukraine must rebuild the country and the economy. For this, specialists with diverse professional skills, which are currently lacking, are needed. Therefore, accelerating the pace of education is vital, not only by improving the quality of education in Ukraine, which is already quite high, but also through collaboration with international institutions, academics, and educational institutions," - concluded Іakovenko.
The new direction at the Ukrainian House, aimed at knowledge exchange, experience sharing, and establishing new partnerships, is undoubtedly a significant and confident step towards the future workforce potential needed for Ukraine's recovery.
At the SelectUSA 2024 Summit, the companies representing Ukraine were strong and powerful, demonstrating leadership and serving as role models. They shared their experiences and sought new partnerships to develop Ukrainian-American relations, emphasizing the importance of cutting-edge technologies and opportunities, bringing them to the forefront.
