Dialogue for Action: Perspectives of the State, Business, and Society on National Production Development
How can we support Ukrainian producers and, consequently, the development of the Ukrainian economy? The vector for forming a new industrial policy is based on the needs of producers and entrepreneurs. This course will create rules of the game and conditions that will stimulate domestic production, raise awareness of Ukrainian products, and bring new stars of the Ukrainian economy into orbit.
The Aspen Institute Kyiv brought together key stakeholders—government representatives, producers, and investors—for the dialogue “Made in Ukraine: Opportunities and Priorities in 2025” to discuss achievements and examine the challenges facing the country.
Yuliia Svyrydenko, First Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine – Minister of Economy of Ukraine, gave a welcoming speech:
“When we launched the ‘Made in Ukraine’ policy last year, our strategic goal was to transform the economy from a raw-materials-based one into a high-tech structure and to increase the production of goods with high added value. We need our production of weapons, equipment, medicine, and clothing. This is a guarantee of independence. Every new factory and technology makes us stronger,” emphasized Yuliia Svyrydenko.
Denis Poltavets, Director of Program Development at the Aspen Institute Kyiv, underlined:
“A sincere and open exchange of ideas is essential in finding effective solutions to the challenges facing Ukraine’s economy. We must listen to each other, compare different perspectives, and understand how to strengthen the national producer.”
The conclusions of the Dialogue can be divided into four blocks:
The first block — tools. The discussion focused on specific economic development measures and effective support programs such as the “5-7-9” loan program for small and medium-sized businesses, attracting investment in production capacities through developing industrial parks, promoting exports via the export credit agency, and other effective programs. Representatives of business and the cultural and intellectual community presented their urgent needs and ideas for solving them. Participants maintained a constructive approach, assessing the priority and realism of proposals and the state’s capacity to support economic development. The need to focus specifically on effective programs that support domestic production with high added value — and to avoid dispersing limited resources across too many programs — was pointed out multiple times.
The second block — communication. There is still a lack of communication of government programs. Businesses do not always know how to access existing support tools. The state needs to analyze which programs truly have the maximum effect without creating risks of excessive budget deficits. Business, in turn, requires a responsible approach, understanding that it is the one that pays taxes, fills the budget, and allows the nation to maintain its unity and defense capabilities.
The third block is subjectivity. Products made in Ukraine are not just a label or a declarative reindustrialization policy but a matter of national security and prosperity. The way to a certain economic autonomy, the ability to provide the country with domestic products, is the won right to subjectivity, strengthening the country’s position in the new world order. Now, at a time of political, military, and economic turbulence, rethinking the values of the social foundations is a challenge the country must face with dignity.
The fourth block — foundation. This block concerns the framework actions essential for maintaining economic stability: developing inclusive institutions, rule of law, trust, transparent business operations, fair tax policy, and demographic and economic policies encouraging Ukrainians to return home. Businesses must take their share of responsibility in rebuilding the state, stepping beyond corporate interests. The relationship between the state and business must become a movement of mutual understanding and open Dialogue.
Yegor Grygorenko, Partner, Head of Consulting and Risk Advisory practices at Deloitte Ukraine, and Oleksii Gerashchenko, economist, financial top manager, and professor at the Kyiv-Mohyla Business School, moderated the Dialogue. Оlena Fomina, Policy Program Director at the Aspen Institute Kyiv, coordinated the event.
We thank all participants for the sincere exchange of views and practical proposals. This is an important dialogue in shaping an effective economic policy that meets the real needs of the country and its producers.
The event was organized by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Ukraine within the framework of the project “Transformative Recovery for Human Security in Ukraine,” which was funded by the Government of Japan and implemented by the UNDP in Ukraine.
The opinions, comments, conclusions, or recommendations expressed during the “Made in Ukraine: Challenges and Opportunities” Dialogue are those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect the views of UNDP, the UN, the Government of Japan, and/or other international partners.
