The Odesa Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry, together with PJSC MTB Bank, held a practical forum "EXPORT Cluster Lab: New Generation Tools for Export", which became a platform for dialogue between business, government and international partners.

📄 The forum's programme includes panel discussions on modern financial instruments for exporters, digitalisation of foreign economic activity and international support programmes. Considerable attention is paid to practical cases from Ukraine and the European Union, which demonstrate the possibilities of cooperation, innovation and integration into global markets.

✍🏻Форум has become a hub for new contacts, ideas and solutions for business development. The discussions brought together government officials, exporters and SMEs with the potential to enter foreign markets, associations and clusters, manufacturers, traders, logistics, consultants and members of chambers of commerce and industry.

Trifon Antov, President of the Odesa Chamber of Commerce and Industry, stressed the strategic importance of export development for the region and the country:

"We live in a time when the speed of decision-making and the ability to unite determine the competitiveness of a country. Export clusters are not only a tool for promoting products, but also a platform for innovation, modernisation and integration into international value chains. Today's forum is proof that the joint work of business, government and financial institutions produces real results. And I am grateful to my colleague Anna Khokholkova for her help in organising and moderating such a great event."

🤝 Clustering as a path to growth
Alla STOYANOVA spoke at the panel discussion "Amalgamation and clustering: the way to modernise production and increase exports", focusing on the importance of partnership:

"The real strength of Ukrainian business is in joint action. The cluster model allows us to combine resources, knowledge and experience, which opens doors to new markets and increases competitiveness. Only through cooperation can we make Ukrainian exports recognisable and stable on the global stage."

📣 Challenges and ways to overcome them

Ukraine's exports remain among the key challenges today:

• limited access to financial resources;
• Insufficient digital infrastructure;
• complex logistics routes due to military risks;
• Lack of systematic information support for SMEs.

The forum's strategies outline ways to overcome this problem: expanding state and international lending programmes, digitalising export procedures, developing transport corridors, creating cluster alliances and integrating Ukrainian companies into global supply chains.

The panel discussion "Amalgamation and clustering: the way to modernise production and increase exports" brought together unique voices from different parts of Ukraine and the world. It featured inspirational stories, specific business tools and practical solutions for the development of the agricultural sector:

Serhiy Hutsol, Head of Vinnytsia Agrocluster
He shared real stories of the creation and development of Ukrainian agricultural clusters.
Key thesis: "Clusters are a tool for survival and growth, allowing you to enter new markets together, not alone."

🔹 Helen Fairlamb, Agrihubs by UN WFP
She spoke about the Grain from the frontline to the frontline initiative, which demonstrates how Ukrainian grain, even in the most difficult times, is becoming the basis for global food security.
Key message: "Ukrainian grain is a weapon of peace: it feeds those who suffer from hunger in the world, despite the war at home."

Vladyslav Mykhaylenko, Horizon Europe in Ukraine Presented opportunities for Ukrainian scientists and businesses to participate in Horizon Ukraine programmes, which open the way to integration into the European research and innovation space.
Key thesis: "Horizon is a chance for Ukraine not only to participate in global projects, but also to set the vector of scientific innovation."

Tamila Afanasyeva, deputy of Odesa Regional Council, head of the Odesa 5T Grant Office, presented grant opportunities for agricultural businesses that allow them to attract millions of euros for innovation, irrigation and modernisation of production.
Key message: "Every farmer and business can find a grant - the main thing is to know how and where to look for it."

The EXPORT Cluster Lab forum has demonstrated that the future of Ukrainian exports lies in synergy. Combining the efforts of business, financial institutions and government creates the foundation for overcoming challenges and paves the way for sustainable development. The Odesa site has become a place where new energy of exports is being formed - growth, modernisation and integration of Ukraine into the global economy.