ITU International Newsletter 21-26.05.2024

Hello. It’s Monday evening — start your week with key IT business updates from Ukraine!

Several important governmental initiatives reached their milestones this month, Ukrainians in the EU will be able to stay connected even easier — as we go into the second month of celebrating the Europe Days with a Ukraine-wide initiative lasting by July. Last week, ITU, with select startups, represented the country at one of the biggest tech shows in the world, with our CEO presenting the latest market findings… It’s been a busy week and this one seems to be even busier. Stay tuned!

Spotlight

IMF and Ukraine Greenlight Ukraine’s Progress, Synchronise Next Steps

International Monetary Fund 's Extended Facility (EFF) arranged a roadmap for new continuous Ukraine support as it successfully passed three reviews in March. Key indicators are Ukraine’s rapid fulfilment of the Ukraine Facility programme requirements (see more in our previous newsletter editions ) as well as the Government’s Action Plan of 11 priority areas (as we noted in our earlier edition —follow our newsletter). Ukraine expects to supercharge its budget with $5.4b in 2024 ($880m already disbursed) out of $15.6b by 2027 and $122b in total.?

“Ukraine’s compliance with the conditions under the EFF is crucial, as the implementation of certain measures and policies helps to maintain macro-financial stability and paves the way for the country’s European integration while adapting the financial system to function in a [current] environment,”

said Denys Uliutin, Deputy State Secretary of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine , after the May 23rd meeting.

Ukraine—a Digital State

Diia.City Reaches 1000 Company Residents Milestone

Diia City , a unique legal and tax environment for IT companies in Ukraine, “offers a range of incentives for IT business development. The space conditions will allow Ukrainian companies to develop more actively, scale up, and attract investments; [hence,] meet its interests to the fullest extent possible,” as explained in the ITU’s “Digital Tiger: the Power of Ukrainian IT — 2023”. Download it here .

“Currently, we're working on expanding the scope of activities. We promptly introduce necessary adjustments and continuously enhance its functionality,”

says Mykhailo Fedorov , Minister of the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine , on the successful wartime development.

EU’s ‘Roaming for Ukraine’ to Be Made Permanent

An EU-Ukraine agreement allowing for accessible connectivity across the Ukraine border, enacted in the summer of 2022, allowed Ukrainians to make affordable phone calls and have up to several dozen internet GBs at no extra cost under their home mobile tariffs. Now, European and Ukrainian operators are in preparations to introduce the fee levy on a permanent basis, capping the roaming tariffs and jointly working out the pricing, allowing for seamless mobile connectivity. Ukraine is (in) Europe!

ITU Newsline?

ITU and Partners Represent Ukraine in Paris, France

Last week, Ukraine was represented at the Viva Technology 2024 for the third year in a row. The national stand featured 14 selected companies, including 3D UTU , Bimp , Deus Robotics , Easy Peasy Insurtech , EDMAPS Ukraine , Genera , HOWCOW , Mark Wealth , Outex UA , PinMy , Promova , Reservble , ЮА Гр?н and Global Ukraine . The Stand was attended by Ms. Marina Ferrari , Minister for Digital Affairs of France at Ministère de l'Europe et des Affaires étrangères ; His Excellency Mr. Vadym Omelchenko, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary at Ambassade d’Ukraine en France ; and many other representatives from the business sector.

A side event—Ukrainian Tech Night —brought together over 150 guests from the Ukrainian and French innovation sectors. The event was opened by Alex Bornyakov , Deputy Minister for Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine , and Mr. Pierre HEILBRONN , The French Special Envoy for Ukraine's Relief and Reconstruction. Maria Shevchuk , ITU CEO, presented the 2024 Ukraine IT Insights based on the ITU Research . The event featured a “Turning Challenges into Advantages: Strategies for Harnessing the Potential in Ukrainian Partnerships” Panel Discussion moderated by Dominique PIOTET , La French Tech Kyiv President.

Ukrainian Tech Night at Viva Tech 2024 is organised by the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, Embassy of Ukraine in the French Republic, Diia.City, together with the IT Ukraine Association, CCI France Ukraine, and La French Tech Kyiv.
General partners: Mastercard and UKRSIBBANK BNP Paribas Group.
Partners: Ukrainian Startup Fund, Nazovni, Digital Ukraine, Mazars XFactory, Seeds of Bravery, EIT Community RIS Hub in Ukraine.
Information partners: Tech Ukraine, SET University.        

Furthermore

Ukraine’s Global UNITED24 Platform Marks 2 Years

Having raised over $650m in Ukraine aid from 100 countries and millions of personal and business contributions ranging from a few dollars to millions, the Ukrainian Brand Platform (launched in the spring of 2022) has implemented over a hundred projects, from the creation of the world’s first naval drone fleet to the purchase of ICU equipment.?

“UNITED24 has strengthened our state, increased the resilience of our society, and provided humanity in general with the knowledge that states can also create successful fundraising platforms focused on both the protection of common human values and absolutely practical, effective assistance to the state in times of war,”

noted Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, during the Thursday UNITED24 Summit.

"#TogetherWeAct Fest": CSOs Report on Getting Closer to the EU

Until the end of July 2024, all regions of Ukraine are holding events co-organised by the EU Delegation in Ukraine with the projects. Under the initiative, over 2.3K projects are being implemented with €104m allocated in funding, partly distributed through €60k~€10m grants, with 800 already awarded to civil society representatives at the local level.

As Ukraine prepares to jumpstart its EU Accession negotiations—with the first Intergovernmental Conference happening “soon” and the most recent panel titled “Impact of the EU Support on CSOs and Media in Ukraine,” covering their place and role in the process of Ukraine's recovery—NGOs reported on their intermittent work results and new approaches already being adapted on all levels from national to local.