Flanders Investment & Trade appoints 'Rebuild Ukraine' representative

On 1 January 2023, FIT appointed Kris Put as Flemish Economic Representative for Ukraine. A lot of industry,  housing and critical infrastructure in e.g. agriculture, health care, ports & logistics and energy supplies have been destroyed in the country. The needs for international aid, investment and business initiatives for recovery and reconstruction are high.

After 1 year of war with Russia, the losses of life, disruption and the damage to the country is enormous. The gross domestic product (GDP)  fell by more than 30 percent as a result of the war. Nevertheless,  the war economy and the financial system continue to  run.  

With Brussels as a base and for an initial period of 6 months, Flemish Economic Representative 'Rebuild Ukraine' Kris Put strengthens the relationships with relevant parties involved in the recovery and reconstruction process, planned or already started in certain parts of Ukraine. In view of the volatile war situation, his activities mainly involve desk research and the development of a functional network. The objective of opening this position is to support Flemish-Ukrainian economic relations and to ensure the access of Flemish companies to the recovery and reconstruction programs.

FIT also cooperates with the Walloon Agency for Export and Foreign Investment (AWEX), which had a team in Kiev before the start of the war but is currently forced to work remotely. This team also answers inquiries by Flemish companies currently exporting to Ukraine or planning to do so in the future.