New Kyiv Business Centre opens in Ukraine
The inaugural meeting has been held at the centre, which provides a permanent foothold in Ukraine for UK companies.
(l-r) Sir Neil Crompton, British Ambassador to Ukraine, with National Armaments Director Rupert Pearce in Kyiv
The UK’s first dedicated business centre for industry in Ukraine has now opened, offering companies a permanent presence in Kyiv to deepen industrial ties with our ally.
The Kyiv Business Centre (KBC) is the first of its kind in the Ukrainian capital and is the result of close collaboration between the National Armaments Director (NAD) Group, industrial partners and finance industry, demonstrating the sustained commitment to Ukraine under the 100-Year Partnership.
The KBC gives UK companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), a base from which to build trusted relationships with Ukrainian partners, access battlefield insight and pursue co-development, co-production and investment opportunities.
Until now the cost, security requirements and administrative complexity of operating in Ukraine have made it prohibitively difficult for smaller firms to establish a presence in the country.
Luke Pollard, Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, said:
Britain has stood firmly with Ukraine since the first days of Russia’s illegal invasion, and with the Kyiv Business Centre now open, we are helping to unlock new opportunities for investment, growth and long-term recovery.
By supporting UK companies in Kyiv, we are deepening the 100-Year Partnership and turning our shared resolve into shared innovation.
The KBC’s operating model is built around three principles: industry, innovation and investment, giving members access to a networking platform to help form partnerships, raise investment and scale-up production and capability.
National Armaments Director Rupert Pearce met with senior industry figures and SMEs to mark the start of the centre’s work connecting UK and Ukrainian industries.
NAD Rupert Pearce said:
This new facility is not just a centre; it’s a permanent gateway transforming the UK’s ability to collaborate meaningfully with our Ukrainian partners now, and for the long term.
Until now the costs, security considerations and other restrictions created by Russia’s full-scale invasion have made it difficult for firms, especially smaller firms, to work in Ukraine.
Our previous Trade Missions successfully addressed some of those challenges - this centre breaks down those barriers, giving UK firms a permanent centre in Kyiv embedding real opportunities for innovation, investment and export.
It builds on more than 40 major UK-Ukraine industrial partnerships already in place and on the success of the MOD’s trade missions to Ukraine. The KBC also supports Ukrainian firms seeking UK industrial partners or establishing UK-based subsidiaries.
UK companies interested in doing business in Ukraine can find out more by emailing enquiries@kyivbusinesscentre.com, or visiting www.kyivbusinesscentre.com.