The EU4Business FORBIZ project has selected the Chernihiv region to participate in an EU-funded pilot programme that supports regions and cities in Ukraine to successfully formulate and implement development policies for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The Chernihiv Region State Administration, and the City Councils of Nizhyn and Chernihiv signed a Memorandum of cooperation with FORBIZ on December 18, 2017.
Within the framework of the programme, strategic documents will be produced in close collaboration with the business community and the authorities, which will take into account identified development priorities, the most urgent needs of SMEs, Ukraine’s 2020 SME development strategy and European good practices.
The programme will be implemented in two stages: in the first stage, working groups will be set up to develop strategic documents for SME development, with the participation of representatives from government and the business community. At the second stage, working groups will develop programmes that will ensure the practical implementation of the strategies for SMEs.
The programmes are expected to focus on supporting SMEs in the areas of exports and internationalisation of business, access to finance, innovation development, launch of start-ups, and other areas in line with regional and city-level priorities identified by the working groups.
The results of the pilot programme will be analysed, and the experience of the Chernihiv region and the cities of Chernihiv and Nizhyn will be taken into account in the development of recommendations for the formulation and implementation of an effective SME development policy at the level of regions, cities and territorial communities in Ukraine.
Funded by the European Union under the EU4Business initiative, the FORBIZ project supports Ukraine’s reform agenda and its economic recovery by proposing a systemic, smart change to a more business-friendly environment with a particular focus on SMEs. The project seeks to steer a shift in policy towards greater recognition of SMEs and the vital role they play in economic recovery, while addressing the challenge of reducing regulatory burden and lessening risk for businesses.