As part of the Second International Conference Crimea Global. Understanding Ukraine through the South, the fourth panel discussion, titled “Developing Economic Ties Between Ukraine and Non-Western countries,” took place.

Participants included Dr. Fernanda Magnotta, Program Coordinator for International Relations at FAAP, Senior Fellow at CEBRI, Global Fellow at the Wilson Center, and CNN Brazil analyst from Brazil; Nagender Parashar, General Director of Parashar Industries, originally from India and a resident of Ukraine for 10 years; Norton Rapesta, Brazil’s Ambassador to Ukraine from 2021 to 2024; and Lev-Oleksandr Bondarenko, Deputy Director for Government Affairs at MHP Global.

Deputy Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine, Liudmyla Shemelynets, also delivered opening remarks. The discussion was moderated by Anna Liubyma, Director for International Cooperation at the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Liudmyla Shemelynets emphasized that the agricultural sector is one of the driving forces of Ukraine’s economy:

“Our primary goal is to ensure domestic and international food security while guaranteeing the sustainable development of the agricultural sector.”

She highlighted that, even under the challenging conditions of Russian aggression, Ukraine’s agricultural sector continues to supply products to over 124 countries worldwide:

“The agricultural sector is the key force that demonstrates Ukraine’s resilience.”

The Deputy Minister drew particular attention to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s “Grain from Ukraine” initiative, aimed at delivering grain to 12 countries in critical need. She also mentioned Ukraine’s recent participation in the international conference “World Without Hunger,” which served as an important platform for addressing global food security challenges.

Dr. Fernanda Magnotta noted that Ukraine and Brazil share historical similarities, which not only connect the two countries but can also enhance mutual understanding between their peoples:

“Ukraine and other nations in our region share the challenge of managing national development while facing significant external influences.”

She emphasized that Ukraine and Brazil could become key partners in energy cooperation, trade route development, and the exchange of expertise in technology, the IT sector, defense, nuclear energy, and engineering.

 “When we look at Ukraine and countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, it’s clear that exporting Ukrainian grain and agricultural products to developing countries is crucial. Brazil can share its experience in this sphere,” added Fernanda Magnotta.

Norton Rapesta highlighted the importance of fostering bilateral Ukrainian-Brazilian relations, trade, and economic ties. He also pointed out that Ukrainian culture remains underrepresented in Brazil and emphasized the need for substantial efforts to change this.

“We must understand that in certain sectors we are competitors, but competition doesn’t always mean conflict; competition also means opportunities,” he noted.

Lev-Oleksandr Bondarenko emphasized that approximately 40% of MHP Global’s agricultural exports go to developing countries. He stressed that markets in Asia, Africa, and Latin America remain promising for many companies, particularly in the agribusiness sector:

 “We have much more to offer to developing countries.”

The speaker emphasized that Ukraine is capable of exporting not only products but also essential technologies. He added that Ukraine has the potential to unite nations and become a center for global food security.

Nagender Parashar shared insights into his company’s activities in Ukraine, particularly the production of prosthetics and individual components. He highlighted that the Indian government is fostering the development of business relations between Ukraine and India:

“In the future, we hope our production facilities in Ukraine will grow and enable the export of products directly from Ukraine.”

In conclusion, the speakers discussed the importance of developing international connections, supporting business relations, and ensuring global food security.

Thank you to the speakers for their participation in the discussion!