Events
Ukrainian producers will participate in negotiations with the largest retail networks in Austria
Vienna, 16-17 May 2016
The 16th-17th of May will see Vienna Trade Fair to be held in cooperation with the Embassy of Ukraine in Austria. This event will bring together representatives of Ukrainian and Austrian business to participate in a series of meetings. Representatives of the largest Austrian retail networks, such as Rewe/Billa, Spar and Metro, and Ukrainian producers of sweets, fish products, beverages, honey, dairy and other food products and consumer goods are expected to take part in the event.
Vienna Trade Fair is aimed at facilitating direct contacts between Ukrainian exporters and the largest retailers in Austria. The event promises intense negotiations that are expected to result in the signing of export contracts for Ukrainian products. This will be the next step to practically apply the Agreement on Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) between Ukraine and the European Union, which came into force on 1 January 2016.
Oleksandr Shcherba, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the Republic of Austria: “Export of our own goods to developed markets is the best investment in our country’s reputation. Therefore, we will consider it an achievement if even one Ukrainian product will appear on the shelves of Austrian supermarkets as a result of these meetings, as a tiny part of Ukraine will be present at home of every Austrian.”
International audit company Deloitte Ukraine was a co-organizer of the event. Thus, a substantial advance preparation was carried out by its specialists to ensure the proper level of Ukrainian representation in Vienna. The participating companies have all quality and safety certificates required for selling their products in EU markets and understand customs and logistics processes and the EU's specific requirements for, among others, production and marking of products.
Gregory Fishman, Senior Investment Advisor in Deloitte Ukraine: “Ukrainian products offer a combination of high quality and low production costs, meaning they stand all chances to compete for their place in the sun in any market. We have conducted a survey to identify the best domestic producers that desire and are ready to export their products to Europe. We hope that they will expand the range of products in Austrian supermarkets in the short run.”
From the side of Austrian business, the participation in Vienna Trade Fair has been confirmed by high representatives of Austrian buyers that together cover more than 75% of the retail market in the region.
Austria is one of the most hermetic and most competitive markets in Europe. Today, Austria's share in Ukrainian exports and imports barely reaches 1%. Following the 2015 results, the Ukrainian export of goods to Austria totaled $347.2 million, which is down by 34.6% year-on-year. Most exports are of iron ore and wood. Austrian consumers can buy Ukrainian honey and apple concentrate when shopping for food products.
The main organizers of the event are the Embassy of Ukraine in the Republic of Austria, audit company Deloitte Ukraine and Deloitte Austria and the Willard Group communication agency. The event is supported by the Austrian Chamber of Commerce (WKO) and Ukrainian Circle Vienna.
