Annual Report 2009

The year 2009 was characterized by the crisis that impacted the economies of all EU countries. Nevertheless, it brought some companies to expand their activities to the east of the EU borders - to Ukraine. Among the factors that contributed to it, is the attractive location of Ukraine, its big consumer market, favorable investment opportunities, including currency spreads, raw material and labor.

Due to this, the domestic producer became an important factor. The export opportunities of the Ukrainian market have become more attractive, as well.

Therefore, the BA foundation´s activities emphasized the support of domestic producers to expand internationally, the support of EU companies in entering the Ukrainian market and the networking activities. 

 

Among them were: 
  1. Consulting EU companies on entering the berry business in Ukraine. Market research of the berry market, producers, processors, methods of processing and packaging. Meetings with producers of berries and equipment suppliers and SWOT analyses for EU partners for investments in potential companies. 

  2. Market research and searching for the potential partners in Ukraine for EU trading company in the F/V sector. Research on the supermarkets system and on the supplying conditions. Meetings with potential customers, negotiations follow-ups, and review of the customs procedures.

  3. Research for the large EU canned food producer concerning its entrance to the Ukrainian market of raw products, primary processing, packing materials supply. This resulted in a contact with the direct producers in different regions, traders, open market owners and supermarket heads. Also a list of processing companies was compiled, 2 potential partners were visited and the Agro-2009 exhibition in Kiev was attended. This information becomes a basis for the EU producer to make its primary decision in order to proceed. Among the potential partners in Ukraine are producers of glass jars and metal covers. These producers were researched and their commercial offers have been received and forwarded to the EU companies.

  4. Supporting a big Ukrainian trader in the F/V sector in developing a strategy of direct cooperation with farmers, elaborating a system of joint primary processing of agricultural products.  

  5. Networking – meetings with farmers associations, organic flora IF, seminars, forums, visiting exhibition. Ministry of Agriculture contacts. In December, the b-a team was invited to the 6th international conference – “Fruits and vegetables 2009”, where a presentation was given, contacts were collected and the current situation in the agro sector was updated. 
    As a result, the b-a service offer in agro sector was worked out and sent to the participants in order to inform them about our export support activities. Already this year some feedbacks from farmers were received.  

  6. Other sectors: real estate and healthcare. During the last visit of Dr. Paul-Oliver Kaukal to Ukraine there was a meeting with the head of the biggest wholesale market of Ukraine. During the meeting the possibility of b-a support in developing the whole-sale agro markets chain in West Ukraine was discussed. Final negotiations should be carried out in February 2010.

    Among other projects worth mentioning is the construction of a big health care center in Odessa. Meetings with the owners were made, discussions for b-a support were held. The development of the project consists of 4-5 stages – from a small laboratory in the existing state hospital to the own big multi-floor centre in the area, already reserved for it.
    There decision was made to follow-up in 2010, when first initial stages will be finished.  

  7. Charitable project, namely a “Rotary project”, supporting the children clinic “Ochmatdyt”. Meetings with doctors in the clinic, negotiate open questions, support in the project.

 

Prepared by the BA team

December 2009