On September 30, the third webinar under the “DiasporaAid: Opportunities for Diaspora and Migrant Engagement to Advance Ukraine’s Economic Development” series, organized by the Economic Prosperity and Investment Committee (EPIC) of the Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) in partnership with UkraineInvest, IOM Ukraine, and Canada-Ukraine Chamber of Commerce (CUCC), took place. This webinar was the third in a series of five webinars foreseen until yea-end devoted to exploring various dimensions and areas of engagement of the Ukrainian diaspora and migrant community.
The third webinar titled “COVID-19 as an opportunity to enhance diaspora economic engagement with Ukraine” was moderated by Natalia Nemyliwska, Director of the Economic Prosperity and Investment Committee under the UWC. The webinar focused on what Ukraine could do to maximize on the changes taking place economically as a result of COVID-19. Developing trends and potential opportunities Ukraine could tap into in the current COVID-19 environment and in the post-COVID-19 economy, were discussed. The aim of the webinar was to explore possible areas and projects that would tap the resources of the Ukrainian diaspora and migrant community in support of Ukraine during COVID-19 and beyond.
Opening remarks were delivered by a number of speakers, including, Anatoliy Kutsevol, Deputy State Secretary, Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, Sergiy Tsivkach, Executive Director, UkraineInvest and Natalia Nemyliwska, Director, Economic Prosperity and Investment Committee, UWC.
In his opening remarks, Anatoliy Kutsevol, Deputy State Secretary, Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, highlighted the opportunities opening up before Ukraine and the potential role the diaspora can play to promote Ukraine on various levels with the words, “Ukrainians living abroad can help scale opportunities and tackle the challenges of COVID-19 firstly by supporting Ukraine’s reform agenda and promoting Ukraine abroad. There is no better diplomacy than Ukrainians living abroad. Working with the Government of Ukraine to address strengthening Ukraine’s human capital is also crucial, including in areas such as multiple citizenship, repatriation of young graduates and skilled labour.”
In turn, Sergiy Tsivkach, Executive Director, UkraineInvest noted that, “Considering the pandemic impact on the global supply chains and, as a consequence, the acceleration of nearshoring trend for companies from Asia, Ukraine’s role as a European manufacturing hub is rising.”
Finally, Natalia Nemyliwska, Director, Economic Prosperity and Investment Committee, UWC concluded that, “With challenge, comes opportunity and Ukraine can poise itself firmly to capitalize on many emerging economic trends resulting from COVID-19. The Ukrainian diaspora can amplify Ukraine’s voice on the world stage and support Ukraine through the transfer of its skills, knowledge and expertise.”
The next webinar will build on the topic raised in this particular webinar and previous webinars, namely the role and potential of the Ukrainian diaspora to promote Ukraine abroad, and to do this in an effective and efficient manner. The UWC will be hosting this event in cooperation with its partners. More details are to come.
