Qatar & Ukraine Seek Tech Sector Opportunities

In a recent interview with The Peninsula, Vice Minister of Digital Transformation of Ukraine H.E. Oleksandr Bornyakov gave insight into the burgeoning partnership between Qatar and Ukraine. The two nations have been fostering strong ties over the years, particularly in the technology sector. Their collaboration has deepened and diversified across multiple fields. 
 
"We are considering building a Qatar-Ukraine technology bridge," said Bornyakov. This platform would allow Ukrainian tech companies to establish themselves in Qatar, opening pathways for them to explore opportunities in the entire Middle East through this strategic location. 
 
Bornyakov believes that such an initiative will also enable Qatari businesses to gain more insights about what Ukrainian companies do and offer their services accordingly. 
 
One of the key aspects highlighted by Bornyakov was innovation, a crucial pillar within both countries' strategies. He mentioned how Ukraine sees itself as an innovative nation, boasting around 5000 companies and 300,000 individuals who focus on innovation at its cutting-edge forefront. 
 
He further discussed digital innovation's role in driving regional growth while pointing out potential opportunities within AI and emerging technologies. "Ukrainian startups are working on optimizing supply chains through technology, which can reduce costs significantly," he explained. 
 
This approach is not only appealing to Qatar but also provides valuable solutions that could be mutually beneficial, given Qatar’s position as a gateway to Gulf countries and the wider Middle East region. 
 
The vice minister emphasized that Ukrainian startups excel across various sectors, including govtech, agritech, cyber security, defensetech, and healthtech, among others. A synergy between the Qatari and Ukrainian startup ecosystems could lead to a cross-regional hub known for its digital excellence. 
 
When asked about how tapping into Ukraine’s robust tech talent pool can open new avenues for innovation aligned with Qatar's economic diversification ambitions, Bornyakov noted that traditionally the Ukrainian IT sector focused primarily on Western markets, thus gaining experience in managing complex projects successfully. 
 
Today, many Fortune 500 companies rely on Ukrainian expertise for complex tasks requiring top-tier global skills. This partnership can yield significant results as a large number of Ukrainians are already working with leading corporations such as DaimlerChrysler, Toyota, Mercedes-Benz, Boeing, Fidelity, and Deutsche Bank. 
 
Bornyakov is optimistic that this collaboration will prove beneficial to both parties. He believes that the scale of Qatari projects, combined with Ukrainian expertise, could expedite progress while minimizing errors. 
 
At Web Summit 2024, ten diverse Ukrainian startups participated and explored opportunities provided by Qatar's ecosystem. Bornyakov praised the initiative, saying "networking is one of the leading forces in building a startup environment." 
 
He lauded the efforts made by the Qatari government in supporting and holding events like Web Summit, which is known to be the largest startup networking event worldwide. For future summits, he revealed plans to focus more on artificial intelligence along with bringing more companies onboard, thereby strengthening these bridges between Ukraine and Qatar even further.