The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine took part in the opening of Kyiv Business Centre, the first specialised British business centre in Kyiv, which will serve as a permanent platform for fostering industrial cooperation between defence companies in Ukraine and the United Kingdom.
The Centre was established with the support of the British Government as part of the implementation of the 100-Year Partnership between Ukraine and the United Kingdom. The initiative is the result of cooperation between the UK National Armaments Director Group, industry partners and the financial sector.
Kyiv Business Centre aims to make it easier for British companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, to enter the Ukrainian market. Previously, security requirements, costs and administrative procedures made it more difficult for these businesses to establish a permanent presence in Ukraine.
The Centre will enable British companies to engage directly with Ukrainian government institutions, defence manufacturers, the innovation sector and investors. It will also provide information on Ukraine’s current needs, help companies find partners and support the development of joint projects.
“For Ukraine, it is important that international partnerships move beyond individual agreements towards systematic industrial cooperation. Kyiv Business Centre provides permanent infrastructure here in Ukraine to make this possible — a place where British companies can find Ukrainian partners more quickly, understand the real needs of the defence industry and launch new projects together with us. It creates additional opportunities for joint development, production and investment in Ukraine’s defence industry,” said Anna Gvozdiar, Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine.
Kyiv Business Centre focuses on three key areas: industry, innovation and investment. The Centre will facilitate business networking, attract funding, support joint development and production of defence equipment, and help expand manufacturing capacity.
At the same time, the Centre will also serve Ukrainian companies seeking British industrial partners or planning to establish subsidiaries in the United Kingdom.
“The UK has stood firmly with Ukraine since the first days of Russia’s illegal invasion. With the opening of Kyiv Business Centre, we are helping create new opportunities for investment, growth and long-term recovery. By supporting British companies in Kyiv, we are deepening our 100-Year Partnership and turning our shared determination into shared innovation,” said Luke Pollard, UK Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry.
Rupert Pearce, UK National Armaments Director, held a meeting with representatives of the defence industry and small and medium-sized enterprises to mark the launch of the Centre and discuss ways to strengthen ties between Ukrainian and British manufacturers.
“This is more than just a centre. It is a permanent platform that transforms the UK’s ability to engage in meaningful cooperation with Ukrainian partners, both today and in the long term. Previously, costs, security restrictions and other challenges caused by Russia’s full-scale invasion made it difficult for companies to operate in Ukraine, particularly smaller businesses. This Centre helps overcome these barriers and creates real opportunities for innovation, investment and exports,” said Rupert Pearce.
The opening of Kyiv Business Centre marks another step in the development of Ukraine–UK industrial cooperation, which has already established more than 40 major partnerships between companies from the two countries. The initiative also builds on the results of previous UK Ministry of Defence trade missions to Ukraine.
The Centre is operated by UK-based Audere Group in a consortium with AMS Global Solutions and Hillmont Partners. It is already building a network connecting international companies, Ukrainian government institutions, defence manufacturers and investors.
To learn more about cooperation opportunities with Kyiv Business Centre, visit www.kyivbusinesscentre.com or contact enquiries@kyivbusinesscentre.com.