Where should Dutch companies begin when entering the Ukrainian market: with exports, finding a partner, participating in recovery projects, or investing? The answers are provided in the Business Guide “Gateway Ukraine: Business Opportunities for Dutch Companies”
About the guide
The business guide “Gateway Ukraine: Business Opportunities for Dutch Companies” was prepared by BDO Ukraine for the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Ukraine.
The guide was developed as a practical tool for Dutch businesses interested in Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction. It covers Ukraine’s macroeconomic and policy context, financial instruments, procurement systems, IFI and donor-funded opportunities, PPPs, practical market-entry issues, risk mitigation and useful resources.
Opportunity sectors analyzed in the guide for Dutch companies:
- Sustainable energy
- Agrifood
- Water and municipal services
- Healthcare and life sciences
- Circular construction
Ukraine’s recovery is not one single market-entry route. For Dutch companies, especially SMEs, the key question is not only whether opportunities exist, but which route is realistic for their sector, business model, risk appetite and operational capacity.
The guide contains practical tools for each scenario, including checklists, stakeholder maps, risk assessment approaches, financial guidance, and recommendations for working with DREAM and Prozorro.
Presentation of the guide
The presentation of the guide took place during the webinar on 9 July. Nearly 100 registrations from representatives of Dutch businesses confirmed strong interest in the Ukrainian market, exports, partnerships, investment, and participation in reconstruction.
Among the key questions raised by participants:
- How can companies find local partners, distributors, or industry associations?
- Where can they find recovery projects and procurement opportunities?
- How can they work with the DREAM and Prozorro platforms?
- Which financial instruments and risk mitigation mechanisms are available to businesses?
- How should a proposal be structured for Ukrainian clients, donors, and international financial institutions?
The main conclusion of the webinar was that companies should begin not only by choosing a sector, but by understanding their own commercial route — direct exports, cooperation with a Ukrainian partner, participation in recovery projects, or the gradual establishment of a local presence.
The record of the webinar is available on Youtube channel of BDO in Ukraine. Watch Gateway Ukraine Business Guide: Practical Steps for Dutch Companies in Ukraine
Beeld: © RVO-UAgroNL