KYIV AS A NEW IT HUB IN EUROPE

People who actively follow the IT industry have long known that Ukraine has made huge strides in the development of the IT industry in recent five to ten years. The number of Western IT companies has been constantly growing; Ukrainian programmers are among the most desired professionals for offshore hire. Let us take a closer look at the heart of Ukraine and discuss in detail the advantages of Kyiv, as a city and a business destination. 

For obvious reasons in regard to being the capital of the state, Kyiv is ahead of all Ukrainian cities in terms of business development, and the number of companies opening here annually. All this makes Kyiv an indisputably favorable environment for business ambitions. The capital of Ukraine fascinates foreigners not only with its pure materialistic prospects, but also with its excellent urban infrastructure, which is not much different from other European megapolises: modern public transport, a developed metro infrastructure, a variety of shops, modern shopping centers, many attractions, and, in general, everything a person may need for a comfortable life.

Kyiv is one of the largest, most beautiful, and most rapidly developing cities not only in Ukraine but also in Europe. It has become obvious for entrepreneurs worldwide that this city is one of the reasonable options for starting a business or expanding the existing one by means of IT outstaffing. In this article, we will try to discuss enough reasons regarding the fact that in the nearest years to come Kyiv has all the means to become a new European IT capital and attract a growing share of international businesses to open their representative offices or hire IT developers from Ukraine.

Considering the growing number of foreign students, Western entrepreneurs, and tens of thousands of tourists, Kyiv is becoming unprecedentedly English-friendly. Signposts, metro stations are being translated, the English voice acting in public transport is being added, and much more, which helps to navigate the city even if you are a guest and do not know the Ukrainian language. The same tendency may be experienced with establishments like restaurants, hairdressers, shopping centers, gyms, etc. 

As in any developed country, the cult of learning foreign languages has been cultivated in Ukraine. In universities, schools, and sometimes even in kindergartens, the younger generation has the privilege and all means to learn English, and therefore getting acquainted with a foreign guest comes with no surprise. The better half of young Ukrainians know English at least at the A2 level, which makes a lot of sense with ordinary everyday communications. As for the employees of the IT sphere, it will be even easier to communicate with Ukrainian specialists as for the most part, they have basic English skills at a level of B2 and higher and will perfectly support any conversation with their potential employer from some Western-based company. 

In the upcoming few years, Kyiv, like other cities in Ukraine, has all means to become more and more English-friendly and thus make Ukraine an excellent choice for starting a business, tourism, or even a permanent residency for foreigners.

Over the past decade, the exchange of business experience between Ukrainians and the country members of the European Union has intensified. This is due to a number of reasons, such as the relocation of thousands of IT specialists from Ukraine to the EU, as well as working remotely for foreigners while not leaving the country. What also really matters is the level of professionalism of the Ukrainian dedicated developers, which they perfectly show in their work.

The growing number of foreign guests note that when they relocate to Ukraine, they still feel like they are in Europe. This has been facilitated by the conscious decision of many Ukrainians to choose the vector of development toward integration into European society. Awareness, dynamics, and perspectives are what unite us. These qualities sound especially good when it comes to the IT business.

Just like Germans, Danish, or Brittains, Ukrainians set the highest priority on their work. It is a common practice among Ukrainian IT professionals to put this priority at the forefront of their lives and work selflessly for the sake of the company. According to recognized Western observers, it is by borrowing European ideology and adding their historically established qualities that Ukrainians are of the most competent professionals in the IT labor market. With such virtues as a proven level of education, diligence, communication skills, and a desire to develop - Ukrainians have all means to become leaders in the IT market in years to come. 

At the moment, Ukraine and its people are going through challenging times because of the Russian unprovoked invasion. Many cities were subjected to air attacks, and some such as Mariupol and Severodonetsk were severely devastated. 

In late February 2022, invaders also did all they could to capture Kyiv, but after a month of unsuccessful attempts, the failed empire builders were expelled from the Kyiv region and from many regions and territories in the North. The city withstood the most severe attack and became one of the symbols of freedom and strength of the Ukrainian people and of the universally appraised will to be independent and free. 

Now every week presidents and prime ministers of the leading countries come to Kyiv to meet with president Zelensky and set a plan for cooperation. Boris Johnson, Andrzej Duda, Olaf Scholz, Lloyd Austin, and many others have already visited Ukraine and made great economic, military, and social efforts to support the country. In many ways, such universal support and integrity attract huge interest in Ukraine as a country, as well as in Kyiv, as a heroic city that has a great future and great prospects for growth.

Many foreign companies took a risk and opened their new representative offices here in 2022 during the war to help Ukraine, as well as to show the fearlessness and leading qualities of their companies even in such non-standard working conditions. In this way, Western businesses show their flexibility and ability to adapt to difficult areas of work and in the same way take their projects to a new level here in Kyiv.

Due to Ukraine obtaining the status of a candidate for membership in the European Union, close ties between European countries and many joint projects are predicted. Both parties hope for a long and fruitful cooperation, which, according to experts, will be beneficial for foreign businesses in Ukraine.