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Ukraine is consistently moving towards integration into the EU’s Digital Single Market (DSM). Issues related to the implementation of European standards were discussed during the panel discussion “The EU Digital Single Market and the Integration of Ukrainian Business: Opportunities for Growth”. The event took place as part of the conference “Towards Integration: Dialogue Between Government and Business on Ukraine’s EU Accession”. The conference was organised by the Kyiv School of Economics with the support of the Office of the Vice Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration and the financial backing of Sweden.
Today, the Ukrainian IT sector demonstrates one of the highest levels of readiness to operate under European rules. The IT industry was the first to adopt global standards, making its experience a benchmark for other sectors.
IT is the second most export-oriented sector in Ukraine: its share accounts for 11.5% of the country’s total exports and 37.4% of services exports. The geography of IT services spans 147 countries worldwide, with over 20% concentrated in EU countries, including Malta, Cyprus, Germany, Poland, and Estonia. The European market is becoming a strategic development direction for Ukrainian tech businesses, as cultural and legal proximity simplifies integration.
During the discussion, participants outlined three main expectations that the business community has of the government to simplify access to the EU market:
At the same time, one of the key challenges to the implementation of European norms remains the shortage of qualified personnel. Draft Law No. 8153 provides for the introduction of the DPO (Data Protection Officer) position, mandatory notification of data breaches, and significant fines. However, Ukraine currently lacks certified data protection specialists, and building such competencies could take years. Personnel training is needed right now, as the full implementation of GDPR is expected closer to 2028.
A similar situation is observed in the field of cybersecurity: the NIS2 Directive significantly expanded its scope to include digital services and ICT management. The main challenge for Ukrainian enterprises is the shortage of qualified cybersecurity specialists. According to EU data, the deficit of such specialists exceeded 88,000 people in 2024, and the demand for personnel will only grow. For the effective implementation of GDPR and NIS2, Ukraine requires systemic investments in human capital.
Oleksandr Borniakov, Deputy Minister of Digital Transformation for European Integration, confirmed that a political agreement reached with the EU provides for the creation of a single regulator for the implementation of digital acts, including the GDPR, DSA, and AI Act.
Ukrainian IT remains a success story, demonstrating resilience, adaptability, and global competitiveness. European rules are intended not to restrict, but to increase business reliability. Clear and proportionate requirements enable Ukrainian IT companies to gain partners’ trust and open the path to long-term contracts and participation in EU projects.
