Archive of system recommendations

To review and evaluate the relevance of unimplemented activities outlined in the Action Plan for the implementation of the SME Strategy, prioritize activities that may have a fast and significant effect on the SMEs’ access to finance and to stop implementing ineffective measures.
Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine
Ministry for Development of Economy, Trade and Agriculture of Ukraine

To consider creating a section dedicated to the SMEs’ access to finance at government-based web resources, for instance, the SME Development Office’s portal sme.gov.ua. Provide aggregation of up-to-date information on funding programs and grants, relevant educational programs for SMEs.

To provide quality information and training materials on access to finance and general financial literacy, including preparing SMEs for obtaining bank financing and preparing loan applications. Make this resource widely known to the target audience.
The SME Development Office

To initiate training programs for SMEs aimed at improving access to finance through technical assistance programs. Consider regular conducting of such programs on the ongoing basis with budget and/or donor funding, for example, through regional business support centres. To avoid a formalized approach to implementing such programs (for example, when performance is assessed based on the fact of the training itself), introduce measurable and focused key performance indicators, such as quantitative indicators of the SMEs’ participation, the number of SMEs that have tried to or received funding after participation in training programs, and others.

To continue providing the Export Promotion Office with appropriate resources, expanding support services according to the Export Strategy and SMEs’ demand, and disseminating information about the Office’s capabilities among SMEs’ representatives.

To ensure transparent and efficient functioning of the ECA in accordance with the best international practices. When taking final legislative steps to launch the ECA, it is recommended that the CMU, the MinFin and the MinEconomy carry out additional analysis of:

а) the level of the ECA’s capitalization and state support so that the institution could cover as many businesses as possible, including SMEs, and make their own functionality more accessible and

b) the support areas outlined in Art. 8 of the Law, first of all in the context of their consistency with the identified priority sectors of the Export Strategy.
Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine
Ministry of Finance
Ministry for Development of Economy, Trade and Agriculture of Ukraine

To finally approve and implement the creation of a fully operational structure of foreign (trade representative) offices provided with sufficient resources and functionality to effectively support domestic businesses, including SMEs, with the gradual expansion of the geographical presence of such offices. In this context, it is deemed appropriate to ensure close co-operation of foreign agencies with the Export Promotion Office when processing requests, particularly those submitted by SMEs.

To take steps to launch the National export web portal, its proper and regular filling with useful and accessible information for active and potential exporters, as well as introduce a separate section dedicated to promotion and using innovation opportunities by exporters, as set forth in the Action Plan to the Export Strategy.
Ministry for Development of Economy, Trade and Agriculture of Ukraine
Export promotion office

To prioritize the implementation of the Innovation Strategy for the period up to 2030 aimed at enhancing copyright, improving the national patent protection system and harmonizing the national patent law with the relevant EU standards, in particular:

• approximate technical regulation, standards, and conformity assessment;

• normatively regulate the process of transferring intellectual property objects;

• introduce state support for patenting of intellectual property of Ukrainian innovators abroad through co-financing, etc.
Ministry for Development of Economy, Trade and Agriculture of Ukraine

To enhance the implementation of measures aimed at strengthening the institutional capacity of business associations (business support organizations), in particular, the implementation of a relevant Program developed during the SME Strategy’s implementation. Prioritize measures within the Program designed to support the competitiveness and SMEs’ interest’s presentation and communication
Ministry for Development of Economy, Trade and Agriculture of Ukraine