Business delegation from Ukrainian city of Verkhniodniprovsk visits Bocholt

A delegation from the Ukrainian city of Verkhniodniprovsk has now visited Bocholt. The focus was on exploring possible future cooperation with local companies.

Background: Bocholt signed a solidarity partnership with the Ukrainian city of Verkhniodniprovsk in October 2023. Since then, numerous aid deliveries have been made to the city, which was devastated by the Russian war of aggression. At the same time, knowledge is being exchanged in order to provide sustainable structural aid. A delegation from the city visited Bocholt in June, for example, to gain an overview of how the city administration works, including the municipal utilities, the waste disposal company and the fire brigade.

The most recent visit was initiated by companies from Verkhniodniprovsk who wanted to find out about opportunities for co-operation with local companies in Bocholt.

The programme began with an introduction to the working methods of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK). Christopher Papendorf, Regional Representative Westmünsterland at the IHK Nord Westfalen, presented the structure and tasks of the IHK. This was followed by a discussion about possible assistance from the chambers of commerce in initiating business with companies in Westmünsterland.

Philipp Grunewald then gave a guided tour of the Bocholt-based company of the same name. The delegation also received a warm welcome at the Bönemann company. Here, the guests were able to visit part of the company premises and were given explanations in Russian, Ukrainian and Polish. The 17-year-old Ukrainian Richard Liakhovets, who took part in the EU Youth Camp for the second time this year, took over the translation in the afternoon.

Due to the energy shortage in Ukraine caused by the Russian war of aggression, the delegation paid particular attention during the visit to the Tekloth company. The photovoltaic systems attracted a great deal of interest.

Another item on the programme was a visit to the Westphalian University of Applied Sciences. Professor Dr Olaf Just welcomed the group to the robotics laboratory with the help of a humanoid robot. The guests were then given a demonstration on a collaborative robot. Such machines are programmed so that they can work with humans by stopping movement when touched so that the human is not injured. A general overview of the university rounded off the tour.

At the final dinner, Deputy Mayor Gudrun Koppers bid farewell to the delegation from Ukraine.