The Federation of Employers of Ukraine (FEU) took part in the major Danish-Ukrainian Business Forum, together with Minister of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine Oleksii Sobolev, First Deputy Minister for Communities and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine Aliona Shkrum, Ambassador of Denmark to Ukraine Thomas Lund-Sørensen, Vice President of the Confederation of Danish Industry Emil Fannikke Kiær, Head of UkraineInvest Maryna Khlystun, and representatives of Ukrainian and Danish businesses.
The event was co-organized by the Confederation of Danish Industry (DI), which brought the largest Danish business delegation to Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale invasion.
DI is a strategic partner of the FEU, with whom we have been cooperating for more than eight years.
Together, DI and the Federation of Employers of Ukraine have:
- established the Danish-Ukrainian Business Council;
- organized more than 20 business delegations to Denmark, involving over 150 Ukrainian companies;
- supported Ukraine’s national exhibition stands at Agromek;
- developed industrial cooperation between Ukrainian and Danish companies.
Practical examples include the localization of machinery production in Ukraine, with Ukrainian companies manufacturing components for Danish businesses; joint projects in agro-processing; the participation of Ukrainian companies in infrastructure reconstruction together with Danish partners; and the development of cooperation in demining, the defense industry, and mechanical engineering.
Another promising area we are working on is the localization of production of components for wind energy in Ukraine, as well as related maintenance and servicing.
This was highlighted during the forum by Ruslan Illichov, CEO of the Federation of Employers of Ukraine, who emphasized that Ukrainian business remains strong and resilient. Despite the war, companies have retained their expertise, international contracts, and readiness for large-scale cooperation.
He stressed that investment and job creation are just as important today as military support. Jobs mean stability for the state, the return of people to Ukraine, and tax revenues that help finance the country’s defense.
Ukrainian business is a reliable partner for Danish companies — already today.
And it is through such concrete results that a new quality of Ukrainian-Danish economic partnership is being built.
We also emphasized how highly we value our cooperation with EIFO — the Danish Export and Investment Fund. EIFO supports Ukrainian companies purchasing Danish goods, helps Danish businesses develop their operations in Ukraine, and encourages joint Danish-Ukrainian projects. This model of cooperation creates economic growth and new jobs in both countries.
At the same time, we proposed considering the possibility of expanding the grant component for the private sector. Currently, grant coverage of up to 40% of the cost of Danish goods is available to public-sector purchasers. We would welcome the introduction of a mechanism providing compensation of at least 20% of the cost of Danish or joint Danish-Ukrainian products for private Ukrainian companies as well. This would enable greater involvement of small and medium-sized businesses in cooperation and accelerate the launch of new joint projects.
Tomorrow, we will continue discussions with our Danish partners, including B2B meetings and factory tours.
For us, this visit is a clear signal of confidence in the future of the Ukrainian economy. Danish companies are not waiting for the war to end or for “ideal conditions” to invest, localize production, and launch new partnerships.
38 leading Danish companies and around 300 participants from Ukrainian businesses, industry associations, and the public sector gathered at the Ukrainian-Danish Business Forum.
Thank you to Denmark and Danish business for your unwavering support for Ukraine! Thank you to Ukrainian business for its resilience.
Glory to Ukraine! Tak Danmark!
