Olena Shyrokova is a trailblazer in international business relations, serving as the Founder of the Ukrainian Arab Business Chamber and President of the Ukrainian Business Council in the UAE. With her far-reaching experience as a Legal Consultant, Arbitrator, and Registered Practitioner with the DIAC and DIFC Courts Wills Service Centre, she stands at the crossroads of law and cross-border commerce. As the Founder and CEO of OLENA—a UAE-based legal consultancy—Olena counsels corporate clients in strategic planning, regulatory compliance, and dispute resolution, with particular expertise in commercial contracts, oil & gas, corporate law, and foreign investment. Her work in steering high-value, multi-jurisdictional disputes, especially within the energy and trading industries, has garnered her respect across sectors.
Below, we share our clusive conversation with Olena Shyrokova on her mission to facilitate robust business connections between Ukraine and the Arab world.
- How does the Ukrainian Arab Business Chamber facilitate trade and investment opportunities between Ukraine and Arab countries, and what have been some of the key achievements in this area so far?
The Ukrainian Arab Business Chamber was established with a clear mission: to act as a direct, results-driven bridge between Ukrainian Businesses and the Arab business community. We focus exclusively on facilitating real trade and investment—not on symbolic promotion or generic marketing.
Our work encompasses agriculture, food processing, construction materials, engineering services, IT, and renewable energy, and other manufacturing sectors where Ukrainian expertise holds a competitive edge. We facilitate connections between Ukrainian businesses and reliable Arab partners—importers, distributors, and investors—through targeted webinars, bilateral meetings, sector-specific introductions, and trade delegations, ensuring mutually beneficial collaboration in both directions.
Our approach is geared toward delivering tangible commercial outcomes. For example, by facilitating introductions between Ukrainian engineering firms and Gulf-based developers, we have enabled the signing of contracts for industrial equipment supply. In the agri-food sector, we have connected producers with buyers across the Middle Eastern, helping to secure stable export channels – even in times of global logistics disruption.
Over the past year, the Chamber has organised multiple high-level business missions to Arab capitals, participated in strategic industry exhibitions, hosted sector-specific dialogues that have led directly to new trade agreements. We were also able to assist great number of Ukrainian businesses located both, in the Middle East and Ukraine. These efforts have not only increased the presence of Ukrainian goods and services in Arab markets, but have also strengthened Ukraine’s image as a reliable partner.
Our Chamber exists to translate that potential into real business—through precision matchmaking, trusted partnerships, and proactive problem-solving.
2. Could you describe specific initiatives or programs led by the Chamber that support Ukrainian entrepreneurs and businesses in entering Arab markets?
We run a set of practical, high-impact initiatives designed for fast and efficient market entry:
• Sector-focused webinars and market briefings — offering in-depth insights on regulatory frameworks, certification requirements, and business structures for different Arab markets.
• Trade and investment delegations — highly targeted missions where Ukrainian companies meet vetted Arab buyers, industry associations, and relevant government authorities.
• Business matchmaking programs — connecting Ukrainian businesses in diverse sectors, from renewable energy to food technology, with pre-qualified partners in the GCC and North Africa.
• Closed-door investment discussions — linking Ukrainian innovators, manufacturers, and service providers with Arab investors and corporate buyers seeking long-term collaboration.
These programs are built for efficiency—every participant leaves with actionable contacts, clear next steps, and direct access to decision-makers.
The foundation of our work is not promotion for its own sake, but delivering measurable economic results for both sides.
From the stage of the largest Ukrainian business forum we organized.
3. In today’s rapidly changing global environment, what partnerships or collaborative projects has the Chamber prioritized to stay ahead and bring tangible benefits to its members?
We prioritise partnerships that reduce market-entry barriers and generate measurable business results. These include:
• Strategic cooperation with Arab chambers of commerce and industry bodies to streamline procedures for Ukrainian companies.
• Collaboration with professional advisory and legal partners who provide members with tailored guidance on compliance, licensing, and dispute resolution.
• Engagement with international trade and investment platforms to secure visibility for Ukrainian products and services at regional and global exhibitions.
• Joint initiatives with sector-specific associations in areas such as clean energy, advanced manufacturing, and agri-tech, ensuring that Ukrainian businesses are part of emerging regional projects.
• Building collaborative and matchmaking projects with diverse partners, leveraging the strengths of different organizations and international business structures to create innovative, sustainable solutions.
This network of partnerships allows us to stay ahead of regulatory shifts, economic trends, and technological developments, ensuring our members are not just present in Arab markets but competitive in them.
4. What challenges do Ukrainian and Arab businesses typically face when cooperating, and how does the Chamber address these challenges to foster stronger business relationships?
The main challenges fall into four categories:
1. Regulatory complexity — Different licensing systems, import rules, and standards often delay cooperation. We address this through structured legal and procedural guidance.
2. Cultural and operational differences — We help both parties bridge cultural differences, fostering strategic and long-term business relationships built on trust, understanding, and shared goals. We facilitate relationship-building through curated introductions and participation in respected industry events.
3. Logistical barriers — Limited direct transport links or warehousing facilities can impact delivery timelines. We help companies identify regional hubs and reliable logistics partners to overcome these issues.
4. Financial risk management — Exporters often need assurance of payment security. We promote the use of letters of credit, escrow mechanisms, and export insurance to safeguard transactions.
Our role is both to open doors and to ensure that the cooperation which follows is secure, sustainable, and mutually beneficial.
Ukraine’s expertise in production, technology, and services is highly relevant to the needs of Arab markets. Our Chamber exists to translate that potential into real business—through precision matchmaking, trusted partnerships, and proactive problem-solving.
These programs are built for efficiency—every participant leaves with actionable contacts, clear next steps, and direct access to decision-makers.
Last year, in collaboration with USAID, we organized a roundtable for Ukraine’s agricultural businesses, bringing together Ukrainian business leaders to explore opportunities for those seeking to establish their presence in the Middle East.
Through her leadership, Olena Shyrokova has established the Ukrainian Arab Business Chamber as a pillar of practical advancement and opportunity in a complex global environment. Her results-oriented vision and tireless focus on building real partnerships help both Ukrainian and Arab businesses realize new possibilities and foster sustainable growth. We look forward to seeing new milestones as this cross-continental collaboration continues to thrive.
Editorial Staff 2025
