LATUA

• Name: LATUA (Support integration of Ukraine into the Western and European single market by using Latvia as an entry point)
• LCCI position: Lead partner
• Total budget: 39 153,44 EUR
• Project period: 01.07.2021 - 31.12.2022
• Funding: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia, U.S. Department of State
• Partner countries: Latvia, Ukraine

The program consists of several practical workshops that will significantly build up Ukrainian SMEs and NGOs competence towards entering Western and European markets and with a strong emphasis to Latvia as an entry point for further expansion.

Once the SMEs and NGOs competence will be increased, follow-up study tours to Latvia will be organized in order to build business contacts that can potentially lead to real sales deals or joint projects between Ukraine and Latvia.

The anticipated impact is to give a lasting competence and business network with EU to Ukraine NGOs and SMEs. Potentially at least one of the Ukrainian companies that will make a joint project with Latvian company at the end of the project.

Program Goals and Objectives:

• Increase capacity and practical knowledge of Ukrainian NGOs and SMEs about the market of Latvia by organizing practical online workshop sessions;
• Facilitate business relationships between Ukrainian and Baltic States NGOs and SMEs by organizing two study tours/roadshows to Latvia.

Program Activities:

• Three workshops on the market of Latvia, aimed at SMEs putting emphasis on the export possibilities, as well as, requirements, for example, legal, customs and phytosanitary will facilitate Ukrainian SMEs to start export to Latvia. Events will improve knowledge of the Ukraine entrepreneurs on the market of Latvia therefore, promoting Latvia as an entry point to the western markets. In addition, the event is aimed at promoting investment possibilities in Ukraine. Also during workshops, Latvian entrepreneurs will share best practices and knowledge on how to access the western markets, how they started their export or opened the business in the western markets, as the purpose of the workshop is to promote export to the western markets. Workshops will be focused on selected sectors specifics.
• The workshop aimed at the NGOs of Ukraine will increase knowledge on the dialogue between the government and entrepreneurs, achieved reforms and current priorities, as well as EESC, EUROCHAMBRES and the EU legislative activities and priorities. The purpose of the workshop is to promote more active involvement of NGOs of Ukraine in the decision-making process at the government level and lobbying of necessary reforms for the benefit of wider society.
• Study tours to Latvia will provide Ukrainian SMEs with Latvian B2B contacts and potential sales lead that can lead to actual sales deals or joint projects in the future and therefore facilitate direct access to Western markets. Company visits will give the chance to see Latvian companies on site including their manufacturing technologies and approaches.
• Study tours to Latvia will give Ukrainian NGOs a chance to meet with other Latvian most powerful NGOs and business support organizations – therefore strengthening cooperation and personal contacts. This will facilitate future cooperation in other projects and future Latvia-Ukraine support for member SMEs seeking export council.

Lead partner:

• Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Latvia)

Partner:

• Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Ukraine)