Speka Media, a leading Ukrainian tech publication, has featured an article by Anatoly Motkin, President of StrategEast, titled “The Gulf Market for Ukrainian IT: What You Need to Know.”
In his article, Mr. Motkin provides an outlook on the Gulf market and offers advice for Ukrainian companies on how to enter this promising region. Despite the United States being the primary market for many Ukrainian IT firms, the recent recession has urged these companies to expand their geographic reach. The global recognition of Ukrainian IT’s high quality makes it attractive to international markets.
Mr. Motkin highlights the Gulf countries as a particularly promising new market for Ukrainian IT. He notes that business relations between Ukraine’s IT sector and the IT ecosystems of the six Gulf countries (UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Oman) have been established for some time. However, there is now a need for systematic institutional support to solidify Ukraine’s presence in the Gulf’s IT landscape.
Digital transformation is rapidly advancing in the Gulf countries, which have substantial resources for such projects. Mr. Motkin explains the varying digital needs of these states, emphasizing their interest in the rapid development of their startup industries. However, the qualifications of founders and workforce often limit this growth.
Mr. Motkin guides Ukrainian companies on how to enter the Gulf market, focusing on areas like artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, green energy and sustainable development, biotechnology and healthcare, robotics and automation, space technology, and fintech. He advises startups to: find a reliable local partner, such as a local startup or integrator; participate in local acceleration programs to navigate the ecosystem; relocate and register in the region, consulting with local law firms for guidance.
He concludes by noting the Gulf market’s strong interest in investing in foreign startups and attracting foreign IT specialists and companies. With the IT market in the region rapidly evolving, now is an ideal time for Ukrainian tech firms to seize new opportunities for scaling and development.
The full article is available in Ukrainian via the link.
