Lviv California Chamber of Commerce: New Horizons of Cooperation and Partnership
In 2025, the Lviv California Chamber of Commerce (LCCC) significantly strengthened its partnership initiatives, serving as a key platform for cooperation between businesses, civil society organizations, and public authorities. Throughout the year, LCCC, together with its partners, initiated and coordinated a number of strategic projects aimed at regional economic development, fostering cross-sector collaboration, and supporting impactful local initiatives – which we are happy to share in this newsletter.
Strengthening Strategic Ties with the California Chamber of Commerce
LCCC has been included in the international portal of the California Chamber of Commerce as an official cooperation resource for Ukraine on the Ukraine Trading Partner Portal. This inclusion recognizes LCCC as a trusted point of contact for U.S. businesses seeking reliable partners, market insights, and cooperation opportunities in Ukraine. Through the portal, LCCC contributes to facilitating trade connections, investment initiatives, and institutional cooperation between California, other U.S. states, and the Lviv region, supporting Ukraine’s economic recovery and long-term integration into global markets. See more here. We are grateful to the Consulate General of Ukraine in San Francisco for their kind introduction and valuable references.
Hosting the U.S. Delegation in Lviv: Strengthening Institutional and Business Cooperation
With the support of Lviv Regional Military Administration (LRMA) and the Consulate General of Ukraine in San Francisco Lviv region welcomed a business delegation from California and Washington State as part of the California-Lviv sister-region partnership launched in 2024.
The visit brought together representatives of the California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz), the Office of the Lieutenant Governor of California, the Washington State Department of Commerce, and the Washington Governor’s Office, along with U.S. companies operating in the energy, logistics, infrastructure, architecture, and construction sectors. These companies expressed strong interest in establishing cooperation with Ukrainian companies, including participation in reconstruction and infrastructure projects, joint ventures, technology transfer, supply chain partnerships, and long-term investment initiatives in Ukraine.
Official meeting at the Lviv Regional Military Administration (LRMA)
During the official visit to the Lviv Regional Military Administration, the delegation met with Maksym Kozytskyy, Head of Lviv Regional Military Administration and regional leadership to discuss priority areas for cooperation. The discussions focused on regional investment opportunities, the development of industrial parks and manufacturing capacity, logistics and infrastructure needs, energy resilience, and challenges related to wartime conditions.
Special attention was given to identifying areas for long-term U.S.–Ukraine cooperation that would support economic recovery and sustainable growth in the region.
The American delegation also delivered a letter from Governor Gavin Newsom of California to Maksym Kozytskyy, Head of Lviv Regional Military Administration expressing strong support for Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction efforts. Receiving and sharing this letter reinforced the importance of ongoing dialogue between Califormia and Lviv region and underscored the high level of attention and engagement from American leadership in supporting Ukraine’s post-war development.
Visit to the Lviv City Council
At the Lviv City Council, members of the delegation met with city officials to learn about Lviv’s economic development strategy and post-war recovery plans. The discussions covered investment in urban infrastructure, clean and energy technologies, logistics and international trade, as well as innovation in construction and urban development. The role of the Lviv California Chamber of Commerce in supporting business ties and international cooperation between the regions was also highlighted.
Visit to SoftServe
As part of the program, the delegation visited SoftServe, the biggest Ukrainian software development company having its strong presence in the USA, where they were welcomed by company leadership. The visit included discussions on innovation, IT development, and international cooperation, as well as an overview of SoftServe’s experience in building global technology partnerships. The visit highlighted the strong role of the IT sector in the region’s economy and its potential for deeper cooperation with U.S. partners.
During the visit, Oleksander Kulepin, Deputy Head of the Lviv Regional Military Administration, delivered a comprehensive and forward-looking overview of the Lviv region’s economic potential. Leaders of local business associations showcased their organizations and outlined concrete opportunities for doing business in the region, with a strong focus on international and foreign companies. The Lviv California Chamber of Commerce (LCCC) actively highlighted the legal and regulatory framework for operating in the Lviv region and across Ukraine, providing practical guidance for potential partners.
Visit to Zakhid Resurs
The delegation also visited Zakhid Resurs, large industrial and logistics park, where they learned about the company’s activities and its role in regional industrial and infrastructure projects. Discussions focused on practical aspects of logistics, resource management, and opportunities for cooperation with international partners in the context of regional development and reconstruction.
Visit to Eco-Optima
At Eco-Optima, the delegation was introduced to the company’s work in the energy sector, with a focus on renewable energy and sustainable solutions. The visit highlighted the Lviv region’s potential in solar, wind, and other clean energy projects, and explored opportunities for cooperation with U.S. companies experienced in green technologies.
Honoring Ukraine’s Fallen Soldiers fighting for Ukraine at Marsove Pole Cemetery
The delegation visited Marsove Pole Cemetery to pay their respects to the brave men and women who gave their lives defending Ukraine in the ongoing war with Russia. At this solemn site, they honored the memory of the fallen defenders, reflecting on their courage, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to their homeland.
This visit served as a profound moment of solidarity and support, highlighting the delegation’s recognition of the immense human cost of the conflict and the resilience of the Ukrainian people. It underscored the importance of remembering those who have laid down their lives for freedom and peace, and offered an opportunity for the delegation to express deep respect and gratitude on behalf of the international community.
By acknowledging the sacrifices made on the frontlines, the delegation reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Ukraine during this difficult period and strengthening ties with the country and its people.
Holding a business forum “Open Dialogue Between US and Ukrainian Business”
Together with the Lviv Regional Military Administration, LCCC organized the forum “Open Dialogue Between US and Ukrainian Business”, which gathered over 130 participants and more than 60 Ukrainian companies.
The forum was opened by Maksym Kozytskyy, Head of the Lviv Regional Military Administration, and Rostyslav Tistyk, Member of Parliament of Ukraine.
Go-Biz team (Emily Desai and Tricia Utterback) and Washington state team (Sarah Clifthorne and Tammy Lo Deets) presented perspectives on U.S.–Ukraine economic cooperation for each state, investment and cooperation tools, regional development models and main industries, and opportunities for joint projects. The panels were moderated by representatives of the Lviv California Chamber of Commerce (LCCC): Markian Malskyy and Natalia Anokhina.
Two key panels, featuring speakers from leading Ukrainian, local, and global companies, provided in-depth discussions on strategic topics, with participants sharing their plans, investment goals, and experiences. The panels focused on:
· Reconstruction, Infrastructure, and Manufacturing Recovery moderated by Dmytro Filonenko, Director of Programming & Business Development at the U.S.-Ukraine Business Council.
· Alternative Energy and Infrastructure Autonomy moderated by Iryna Butynets, Director of the International Cooperation Department at the Lviv Regional State Administration.
These sessions facilitated a dynamic exchange of insights, fostering collaboration between Ukrainian and international business communities on reconstruction, energy independence, and sustainable development initiatives.
Following the panels, participants enjoyed a remarkable excursion to the ZAG Art Gallery, where they admired works by Ivan Aivazovsky, adding a cultural highlight to the program and offering a deeper appreciation of Ukrainian art heritage.
Prior to the forum, a B2B session brought together Ukrainian and U.S. companies for focused discussions, creating a very productive business day filled with new contacts, potential partnerships, and promising opportunities for future contracts and collaboration. The session highlighted the strong interest from both sides in developing long-term cooperation across sectors such as energy, logistics, infrastructure, architecture, and construction, and we are proud to contribute to building these bridges between Ukrainian and international businesses.
LCCC’s activities have already been covered in the media, including publications on the Vilni Media platform, which highlighted delegation visits and prospects for cooperation with the U.S. states of California and Washington in Ukraine’s recovery. Read more here.
LCCC Participation in the #RebuildUkraine 2025 Conference
The #RebuildUkraine 2025 Conference in Warsaw brought together international companies, institutions, governments, embassies, and business associations, including the Lviv California Chamber of Commerce (LCCC). Over two days, experts in infrastructure, energy, technology, and sustainable practices shared knowledge and experience essential for Ukraine’s recovery.Among the highlights was a discussion with Deputy Minister Artem Rybchenko on the Rare Earth Agreement. This meeting provided a valuable platform to explore opportunities for collaboration in critical industries and advance concrete initiatives between international and Ukrainian partners.
LCCC also hosted the meeting with the Turkish delegation, along with a group of other Ukrainian entrepreneurs, to discuss potential joint projects and strengthen business ties between the regions in infrastructure and construction sectors.
In addition to official meetings, LCCC representatives joined the American Reception, strengthening ties with U.S. companies and government representatives, and exploring further avenues for investment, technological cooperation, and business partnerships. These interactions reinforced LCCC’s role as a bridge between Ukrainian businesses and international partners, supporting sustainable recovery and long-term economic development.
Memorandum with the NGO “International Platform ‘Synergy for Ukraine’s Recovery’”
On September 29, 2025, LCCC signed a memorandum of cooperation with the NGO “International Platform ‘Synergy for Ukraine’s Recovery” The memorandum established a partnership aimed at consolidating efforts to develop economic, scientific, and business cooperation through the implementation of strategic initiatives, advisory activities, and joint partnership projects between citizens, institutions, and businesses of the State of California (USA) and the Lviv region.
Webinar on Business Opportunities in the Lviv Region
The Lviv California Chamber of Commerce (LCCC), together with the Department of International Cooperation of the Lviv Regional Military Administration, presented the region and regional cooperation opportunities at a webinar dedicated to investment opportunities and the business climate of the Lviv region. The event was held with the support of GO-Biz (California) and the Washington State Department of Commerce.
What was on the agenda? Emerging investment & trade sectors in Lviv region. How U.S. businesses can form strategic partnerships in Ukraine. Insights into the upcoming California–Washington Trade Mission to Ukraine this November.
Signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation with the Lviv Regional Military Administration
On May 26, 2025, the Lviv Regional Military Administration and the Lviv California Chamber of Commerce signed a memorandum of cooperation. This agreement became a logical continuation of initiatives enshrined in California State Senate Resolution SCR 96 and Resolution No. 580 of the Lviv Regional Council, which established “sister region” partnerships to develop cooperation in the fields of economy, science, education, and culture.
The memorandum formalizes joint efforts in implementing strategic initiatives, partnership projects, consulting and research programs, and recovery activities, including the implementation of resolutions of the California State Senate and Assembly, as well as decisions of the Lviv Regional Council regarding partnership relations.
About LCCC
In 2024, the State of California and the Lviv region launched a “sister region” partnership aimed at developing cooperation in the fields of economy, science, education, and culture. This partnership laid the foundation for the establishment of the Lviv California Chamber of Commerce (LCCC) - an organization that brings together business, academic, and civil society communities to implement joint projects, exchange expertise, and promote sustainable development.
LCCC serves as a bridge between businesses in California and the Lviv region, helping American partners navigate the Ukrainian business environment and identify partners and investment projects. The organization also supports Ukrainian companies in entering the U.S. market and expanding international cooperation.
The Lviv California Chamber of Commerce (LCCC) was founded by Rostyslav Tistyk, Taras Kytsmey, Markiyan Malskyy, Roman Fedyshyn, and Natalia Anokhina, who heads the organization. Their backgrounds in business, law, and public service support LCCC’s work in developing international partnerships and regional initiatives.
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