JSC OTP BANK and the European Business Association (EBA) in partnership held an offline event for Ukrainian export-oriented companies, as well as all business representatives interested in export opportunities.
“Exporters: Talk & Network” became a platform for discussing the challenges faced by companies in international markets, as well as finding ways to expand exports of Ukrainian goods and services.
In particular, Volodymyr Mudryi, Chairman of the Board of OTP Bank, mentioned programs from international organizations as opportunities for exporters. In his speech, he emphasized that the Bank’s mission today is to build a bridge between global companies and donors represented in Ukraine.
“In order to work in our country, all international organizations need a responsible and reliable partner with a history and a good reputation. Someone with whom you can speak the same language. So, for global companies, we act as a kind of “translator” of the needs that exist in our market. This is one of our missions,” said Mr. Mudryi. He emphasized that OTP Bank was among the first to start cooperation with the EBRD, and now it also has extensive programs with IFC. “In addition, within the framework of cooperation with the USAID Project “Investments for Business Sustainability”, we have closed one program of co-financing for MSMEs on preferential terms ahead of schedule, and recently received the second tranche to support business,” the banker emphasized.
However, in addition to global instruments such as programs with international companies, the Bank also supports exporters in their daily work. According to V. Mudryi, OTP BANK has developed profitable and customized services and products – a separate module “Currency Contracts” in the Click OTPay client-bank system, which has complete information on the status of settlements under export and import contracts, currency SWAP, lending, the “Trading Platform” service, which gives the client the opportunity to fix the exchange rate from 1 cent, and also provides access to the exchange of exotic currencies. “We try to optimize and personalize the work with the Bank for our clients as much as possible, to make it as convenient as possible. To this end, we have set up many processes: for example, any new contract must be processed and confirmed by the Bank on the same day,” said Mr. Mudry.
During the event, he advised entrepreneurs to expand their knowledge of ESG (environmental, social, corporate governance) sustainability standards, which are increasingly required by international organizations from Ukrainian businesses. “It is inevitable and it is already knocking on our door. There are requirements from the EBRD, the World Bank, and the National Bank of Ukraine is also planning to develop its own standards. So now, at the level of the NABU (Independent Association of Banks of Ukraine), we are trying to bring together all the requirements so that there is a common understanding of what we will implement, as well as to develop a schedule for the transition to ESG standards,” said Mr. Mudryi.
Yulia Vitka, Deputy Project Manager, spoke about various programs for exporters and SMEs and the opportunities of the USAID Investment for Business Sustainability Project. Ruslan Gashev, Chairman of the Board of Export Credit Agency, presented ECA’s experience and outlined changes in the Agency’s work that allowed it to expand cooperation with business representatives.
“Exporters: Talk & Network: tools to support export-oriented companies” was the third offline event for exporters that OTP BANK and the European Business Association held in partnership. Previous meetings with business took place in the summer and spring of 2024.
