Export Connect: More Than 50 Entrepreneurs from the Odesa Region Participated in an In-Person Intensive

An in-person intensive workshop titled “Export Connect: A Support System for Exporters in the Regions” was held in Odesa, bringing together entrepreneurs, government officials, representatives of regional business support organizations, and experts in the field of exports.

The event was organized by the Swiss-Ukrainian UCORD project, the Office for Entrepreneurship and Export Development, and the Regional Development Agency of Odesa Region, with the participation of the Odesa Regional State Administration, the Odesa Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Diya Entrepreneur Support Center.Business in Odesa, Association of Employers’ Organizations of the Odesa Region.

The event marked another step in developing the regional support system for exporters and strengthening cooperation among institutions working to promote entrepreneurship and international trade.

Participants were welcomed by representatives of the Odesa Regional State Administration, the Swiss-Ukrainian UCORD project, the Odesa City Council, the Odesa Regional State Administration, the Regional Development Agency of Odesa Region, and the Odesa Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The opening of the intensive program served as an example of international partners, government agencies, local authorities, and regional business support organizations joining forces around a common goal—developing the export potential of the Odesa region. In their remarks, they emphasized the importance of systematic cooperation between institutions, as only by working together can an effective support system for entrepreneurs be created at every stage of entering international markets.

During the Export Connect workshop, entrepreneurs learned about government support tools for exporters, approaches to developing an export strategy, selecting priority markets, opportunities at international trade shows for finding partners, services provided by the Office for Entrepreneurship and Export Development and the Odesa Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the specifics of preparing for the first export, customs clearance, and current requirements of European markets.

Olga Gvozdeva and Anna Milenina, advisors at the Office for Entrepreneurship and Export Development and experts with the Export Connect initiative, as well as Irina Zelenina, director of the “Export Support Center,” President of the Ukrainian Export Alliance and the Ukrainian HoReCa Cluster, Anna Khokholkova, Head of the Department of Foreign Economic Relations and Export Support at the Odesa Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Anton Doktorov, Advisor at the Research & Commerce practice of Crowe Mikhailenko; and Maria Revenko, Director of Crosscheck.

The next step in the initiative will be free, individualized support for businesses. Registration is now open for the consulting program, through which experts from the Export Connect initiative—specializing in entering international markets—and the Regional Development Agency will help companies assess their export readiness, identify their needs, and prepare a customized plan for entering international markets. Applications can be submitted until August 13 via this link. In addition, work is underway to compile the “Export Potential of the Odesa Region” Catalog, which will serve as an additional tool for promoting regional businesses in international markets. To participate, please complete the registration form by September 15, 2026, via this link.

For the Odesa region, participation in the “Export Connect: Regional Exporter Support System” initiative creates an opportunity not only to support individual companies but also to strengthen ties between organizations that work with businesses. Thanks to a shared methodology, the exchange of expertise, and coordination, entrepreneurs will be able to receive more comprehensive support directly in their region.

The “Export Connect: Support System for Exporters in the Regions” is implemented by the Swiss-Ukrainian project “Cohesion and Regional Development of Ukraine” (UCORD) in cooperation with the Office for Entrepreneurship and Export Development under a Memorandum of Cooperation. The UCORD project is being implemented with the support of Switzerland through the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation by NIRAS Sweden AB.