Publication date:
Publication from:
On September 12, Kyiv hosted the 10th anniversary of the IT Ukraine GR Conference 2024 — the leading event of the year in IT law.
The conference attracted the attention of industry leaders, government officials and business representatives, bringing them together to discuss the key challenges and opportunities of the industry during wartime.
We are living in an era of rapid change, where technology has become an integral part not only of business but also public administration. This year’s GR Conference program highlights the power of Ukrainian IT: how we are overcoming challenges, seizing opportunities and maintaining a high level of industry expertise with very practical directions,
commented Maria Shevchuk, Executive Director of the IT Ukraine Association.
The conference’s program featured discussions and insights at the intersection of technology and law, offering rich, expert content to hundreds of participants, covering topics ranging from general European integration to the intricacies of global market compliance.
The event was opened by Olha Stefanishyna, the newly appointed Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration – Minister of Justice of Ukraine.
Today, the Ukrainian IT industry is a fully developed, progressive, globally recognized market, and I am particularly pleased to note that the solutions we have today have become possible due to trust, understanding and the development of the Ukrainian market. The more developed we are, the easier it is for us to become part of a large European market with 500 million consumers and access to another 2.5 billion consumers worldwide. IT industry products have no borders, and for us, this represents tremendous opportunities,
noted Olha Stefanishyna.
Digital technologies are being actively integrated into various sectors, including defense, which is fostering the sector’s rapid development and strengthening the country’s expertise at the international level, as well as improving the quality of public services.
No project, no product is created without value for the servicemen and women who arecurrently defending our homeland. “Army+” is the largest app in terms of user acquisition today — more than 200 thousand users! Military systems have never grown so fast before. We already have more than 600 military units implementing the app. Over 4,000 electronic reports have fully completed their cycle.
emphasized the importance of creating effective digital solutions for the Ukrainian military.
UKRSIBBANK is implementing digital transformation both internally and for its customers. We invest in IT security and implement modern solutions to protect transactions and personal data. At the same time, we share our expertise with clients and partners so that they can implement the best practices of digitalisation and data protection in their companies,
shared important details about the digital transformation implemented by the bank in her speech Olena Polianchuk, Deputy Chairman of the Management Board and Head of Legal Department of UKRSIBBANK BNP Paribas Group.
We are pleased to be part of such a large-scale event that brought together business and government representatives to discuss topical issues in the IT sector. During the war, this sphere has become almost the only industry that continues to develop. It significantly supports the economy, provides jobs, generates innovative solutions to meet the demands of the times and serves as an example for other countries in creating IT products for the public and business. We, as a law firm, will support the IT sector with our expertise, help with the legal implementation of projects, and provide support for the GR area and the ongoing activities of IT companies in turbulent times. By combining our efforts and expertise, we will achieve much better results,
said The event partners also emphasised the importance of supporting the IT industry. Opening the event, Asters Business Development Director and Vice President for Legal Affairs at IT Ukraine Association
Panel discussions and public dialogues were held in five announced streams, ensuring that no critical topic in IT law was left unaddressed.
Ukraine’s Integration into the EU Digital Single Market: Regulatory Changes and Opportunities for Ukraine’s Digital Sector. The IT industry closely monitors the European integration process, especially since the full-scale invasion, as interaction between the private and public sectors has significantly intensified. The proactive stance of the Ukrainian IT industry and its deliberate cooperation with key stakeholders contribute to expanding ties with the EU, fostering a win-win strategy, where all parties benefit from collaboration and integration.
Ukraine Facility: Digital Transformation – New Horizons for Business Development. The prospects for Ukraine’s role in the European community are vast, as certain sectors are already prepared for digital transformation and adaptation. The investment component covers a wide range of industries, including cybersecurity, digital infrastructure, and other key sectors that create significant business development opportunities.
Revenue Strategy, Efficient Taxation, and Regulations for the IT Business: The Impact of Government Policy on the Industry. The debate on this topic remains highly active, and it was undoubtedly one of the most demanded discussions at the conference. According to the participants of the public dialogue, the decisions made at the beginning of the war have brought the country closer to European standards. Since 2019, Ukraine has significantly updated its financial legislation, including customs regulations and the banking system.
Essentially, the entire financial legislation of the country has been completely rewritten. The decisions we made at the beginning of the war and during the pandemic to support businesses have led to significant changes in tax procedures, making them better and aligning them more closely with European standards. There are no good or bad solutions. All solutions are flawed. Among those that remained, we chose the least harmful ones,
noted Danylo Hetmantsev, Member of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and Chair of the Committee on Finance, Tax, and Customs Policy.
Investments and M&A in the IT Business: Market Overview and Strategy Forecasts. Victory in the war is crucial for unlocking investment potential and business growth — a sentiment agreed upon by all participants in the panel. In this context, MilitaryTech and DefenceTech emerge as the primary areas of investment interest.
The Era of AI and Innovation: How Regulation is Already Changing Intellectual Property. Panelists agreed that businesses must adapt as quickly as possible to new regulations in the field of AI, as Ukrainian legislation in this area will inevitably align with European standards. The main focus lies in automating routine and administrative processes, which will help set new trends in intellectual property.
In addition, the conference participants had the opportunity to join expert public interviews, which included case studies and battles about Diia.City’s activities, where they discussed taxes, the recent updates and other relevant issues. The conference paid special attention to the case study on GovTech and revealed how to effectively interact with the authorities and create large-scale projects. Other topics discussed included access to the US and EU markets, launching R&D centres and innovations for business.
The IT Ukraine GR Conference 2024 was organized by the IT Ukraine Association. Bank partner – UKRSIBBANK BNP Paribas Group. General partner – Asters. Automotive partner – Mercedes-Benz Ukraine. Gold partners – Favbet Tech, Sayenko Kharenko. Partner – Congress and Exhibition Center «Parkovy». Media partners DOU, Happy Monday, Mind.ua , SPEKA, KMBS, AgriTeka, AgriChain, ShopExpess and UBC.
