At the UNDP Conference in Istanbul, Andrii Hapon Presented the Transformation of the Business Development Fund

Andrii Hapon, Chairperson of the Management Board of the Business Development Fund (BDF), took part in the conference “Istanbul Development Dialogues – 2025,” organized by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with the support of the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA). The event gathered policymakers, global private-sector leaders, investors, academics, and experts to discuss the role of trade, investment, and sustainable development in shaping the future.

In his address, Mr. Hapon presented the activities of the BDF and the Fund’s strategic institutional transformation. He noted that, throughout its transformation, the Fund is enhancing its policies and processes, actively advancing IT solutions, engaging a broad range of donors, and expanding programmatic support for Ukrainian businesses.

Starting from 1 January 2026, the BDF will operate as a National Development Institution with a status formally enshrined in legislation.

The mission of the new institution is to contribute to Ukraine’s economic and social recovery by providing financial, informational, advisory, and other forms of support to micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).

The Chairperson of the Management Board emphasized that the Fund is already working in close partnership with UNDP. During this cooperation, the BDF has implemented several important projects jointly with UNDP and is preparing to launch new initiatives funded by the organization. Among the completed initiatives is the Energy Service Companies (ESCO) Support Program, implemented by the Fund with UNDP’s support.

The “Istanbul Development Dialogues – 2025” conference focuses on “Shaping the Future of Development,” with particular emphasis on rethinking traditional models of assistance, partnership, and the role of the private sector in building a sustainable, equitable, and peaceful society.