The Ukraine Consulting Network : a service model for SME growth

Vol. 1, No. 10 September 2000 < L ~~~~~A Service ModelfLor SME Growth ~The Ukraine Consulting Network stablished by IFC with funding from the IN BRIEF EBritish Know-How Fund and the United e fStates Agency for Intemational Development, the The 1NAMEUkraine Consulting Network (UCN) is the NAME:UkaeCoutigNtok(N)ith i Ukraine Consulting Network (CAN) largest grouping of independent business consult- ing companies in Ukraine. It encompasses 11 ROLE: standalone companies (or consulting centers) that Establishing commercially viable IFC has opened over the last six years, each hav- consulting companies targeting ing its own distinct geographic and professional SMEs in Ukraine specialties. They fill an important void left unmet by the Big Five accounting firms and other major HOW IT WORKS: Western consulting companies, whose operations Established in 1994 by the typically are confined to Kiev and target only for- International Finance eign multinationals and the largest Ukrainian Corporation s Ukraine Business Development Project, the UCN provides quality consulting, train- ing and information services to local SMEs on an affordable, 0fee-for-service basis FUNDING: IFC has provided overall project management and covered start-up SMEFACTS cost during each consulting com- is a publication pan ies initial two years with $5.7 of the million in donor funds. Support World Bank Group camefrom the British Know-How - SME Departmnent Fund ($1.2 million) and the United States Agency for International Director. Development ($5.7 million) Harold Rosen For Information Contact: r c Rob wright r . UCN. Affordable consulting services for Rwright@ifc.org Ukrainian SMEs. Tel. # 202 473 7997 Fax # 202 522 3742  the new equipment needed fbr modernization. The RESULTS: company: is now highlv profitable. with 80% of'its Eleven consulting companies established: sales exported to Europe. Efi,ght now operate without donor The UCN's centers offer the full spectrum of f/unding modern business consulting, training and infor-