Ukraine and Switzerland – a pathway to partnership

23/ 05/ 2022

The European Business Association has launched Warconomic Talks – a new event series where together with experts we discuss the intricacies of the war economy and the opportunities of post-war reconstruction in Ukraine. On May 20, we had the first talks with the highlight on Ukrainian-Swiss cooperation during and after the war. We would like to thank our co-organizer, the Embassy of Switzerland in Ukraine, for the initiative and for many years of fruitful cooperation. Special thanks to Alvaro Borghi, Chargé Daffaires at the Mission of the Embassy of Switzerland in Ukraine, for taking the time to join the event. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nDsJtcm9uQ “Ukrainian businesses are good at organizing things so they should be given an important role in the post-war reconstruction,” said Marcus Keupp, a Swiss expert in military economics. He believes that international partners need to focus not only on the Marshall Plan and financial aid to Ukraine but also on opportunities for cooperation with Ukrainian businesses. Mr. Keupp suggested focusing on such “low-hanging fruits” as crops, logistics, energy, and IT. There is an acute problem, as Ukrainian crops cannot leave the country due to the blocked ports. Surely, the impossibility of shipping is a challenge for exporters, but it is also a chance to try new logistics solutions. Mr. Keupp suggested using the routes that currently deliver military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine. In general, according to the expert, Ukraine needs to reorient its trade flows toward Western countries – by rail through Poland, Germany, Switzerland, and Italy to the ports of the North and Mediterranean Seas. Besides, electricity consumption in Ukraine fell significantly, in part, because industrial enterprises could not work at full capacity due to hostilities. The consumption is not likely to get back to the pre-war level fast, so the extra electricity can be exported to European countries. Mr. Keupp also sees potential in IT cooperation. The fact is that the S status that Switzerland gives to Ukrainian refugees, allows the latter to work in the country. Therefore, Swiss companies have the opportunity to employ Ukrainian IT specialists. It is expected that this will facilitate the exchange of experience, knowledge, and technologies between Switzerland and Ukraine. Also, there is an interesting proposal to create a free trade area between Switzerland, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom. Switzerland and the United Kingdom have minimal trade barriers, and both countries are not members of the EU, so they are more liberal in foreign trade. Thus, the UK has recently abolished all duties and quotas on Ukrainian products. The Ukrainian-Swiss cooperation is also the focus of Impact Ukraine, an NGO designed to support small and mid-size companies in Ukraine. Before the war, more than 60% of Ukrainians worked in small and medium enterprises. Therefore, by providing relief to Ukrainian businesses, one can improve the situation of the population and the economy. The NGO provides financial assistance to entrepreneurs, subsidizes the salaries of Ukrainians, presents Ukrainian suppliers to Swiss companies so that they buy Ukrainian products and support Ukraines economy, and fosters the employment of Ukrainians in Switzerland. The founder of Impact Ukraine, Elena Parker has Ukrainian roots, so the war affected her at all levels, and from the first days, she put the question: “What can be done immediately to help Ukraine?” Thus, the NGO started with short-term initiatives but plans to develop a lasting partnership between the Swiss and Ukrainian businesses. The European Business Association thanks the speakers who shared opportunities for Ukrainian-Swiss cooperation! With the support of international partners, Ukraine will be able to overcome all challenges and successfully recover after the war. Co-organized with

The European Business Association has launched Warconomic Talks – a new event series where together with experts we discuss the intricacies of the war economy and the opportunities of post-war reconstruction in Ukraine. On May 20, we had the first talks with the highlight on Ukrainian-Swiss cooperation during and after the war. We would like to thank our co-organizer, the Embassy of Switzerland in Ukraine, for the initiative and for many years of fruitful cooperation. Special thanks to Alvaro Borghi, Chargé D’affaires at the Mission of the Embassy of Switzerland in Ukraine, for taking the time to join the event.

“Ukrainian businesses are good at organizing things so they should be given an important role in the post-war reconstruction,” said Marcus Keupp, a Swiss expert in military economics. He believes that international partners need to focus not only on the Marshall Plan and financial aid to Ukraine but also on opportunities for cooperation with Ukrainian businesses. Mr. Keupp suggested focusing on such “low-hanging fruits” as crops, logistics, energy, and IT.

There is an acute problem, as Ukrainian crops cannot leave the country due to the blocked ports. Surely, the impossibility of shipping is a challenge for exporters, but it is also a chance to try new logistics solutions. Mr. Keupp suggested using the routes that currently deliver military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine. In general, according to the expert, Ukraine needs to reorient its trade flows toward Western countries – by rail through Poland, Germany, Switzerland, and Italy to the ports of the North and Mediterranean Seas.

Besides, electricity consumption in Ukraine fell significantly, in part, because industrial enterprises could not work at full capacity due to hostilities. The consumption is not likely to get back to the pre-war level fast, so the extra electricity can be exported to European countries.

Mr. Keupp also sees potential in IT cooperation. The fact is that the S status that Switzerland gives to Ukrainian refugees, allows the latter to work in the country. Therefore, Swiss companies have the opportunity to employ Ukrainian IT specialists. It is expected that this will facilitate the exchange of experience, knowledge, and technologies between Switzerland and Ukraine.

Also, there is an interesting proposal to create a free trade area between Switzerland, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom. Switzerland and the United Kingdom have minimal trade barriers, and both countries are not members of the EU, so they are more liberal in foreign trade. Thus, the UK has recently abolished all duties and quotas on Ukrainian products.

The Ukrainian-Swiss cooperation is also the focus of Impact Ukraine, an NGO designed to support small and mid-size companies in Ukraine. Before the war, more than 60% of Ukrainians worked in small and medium enterprises. Therefore, by providing relief to Ukrainian businesses, one can improve the situation of the population and the economy. The NGO provides financial assistance to entrepreneurs, subsidizes the salaries of Ukrainians, presents Ukrainian suppliers to Swiss companies so that they buy Ukrainian products and support Ukraine’s economy, and fosters the employment of Ukrainians in Switzerland. The founder of Impact Ukraine, Elena Parker has Ukrainian roots, so the war affected her at all levels, and from the first days, she put the question: “What can be done immediately to help Ukraine?” Thus, the NGO started with short-term initiatives but plans to develop a lasting partnership between the Swiss and Ukrainian businesses.

The European Business Association thanks the speakers who shared opportunities for Ukrainian-Swiss cooperation! With the support of international partners, Ukraine will be able to overcome all challenges and successfully recover after the war.

Co-organized with