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My first encounter with Sweden goes back to 1993. Ukraine had only recently become independent after the collapse of the Soviet Union, and life was still difficult for many families, including mine. My father worked at a factory and my mother was a nurse in a local hospital in Lviv, raising two kids, including me and my younger sister.
Just before Christmas Eve that year, my parents helped a missionary couple from Ljungskile, Sweden—Jan and Kerstin Sjöholm—who had lost their way and whose van had become stuck in snow on the road near Polish boarder in Lviv, Ukraine. Having a big heart for people, they had driven all the way from Sweden in their personal van filled with Christmas presents for children in orphanages in western Ukraine.
It was the first time I met Swed’s in person. Their kindness and dedication left a deep mark on my heart and our paths crossed ever since and our friendship is lasting to this day.
A few years later, after graduating from high school in Lviv, I had the opportunity to study in Sweden. That experience was transformative. I discovered that although our countries had very different histories, we still shared many values in common like love for freedom, community, resilience, and a strong determination in building a better future.
After returning to Ukraine, I began working in the international business community, supporting Swedish companies operating in Ukraine and becoming actively involved in the Swedish business ans social community there.
In 2008, after gaining experience both in government and the private sector, I founded my own company. I designed a “one-stop shop” for foreign companies and investors entering the Ukrainian market. Our mission was simple: take bureaucratic challenges off their plate—legal procedures, licensing, tax matters, accounting, customs, and talent acquisition—so companies could focus on growth and development. Our philosophy was straightforward: as our clients grow, we grow with them.
As the company expanded, we began developing an international presence, opening an office in London in 2013. At the end of 2021, I moved to New York to establish operations in the United States, but only a few months later, Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. It was an unimaginable and devastating moment for my country and for millions of people. The business of my clients was effected dramatically, so was mine. Like many Ukrainian families, mine had to make a difficult decision, leave everything behind, our home, our 6 kids had to leave their friends and everything we built over the years and restart all over again in the United States.
Today, Belmonri Services International is helping European and international companies establish themselves in the U.S., connect with top talent, helping them build a strong teams that will drive their business growth and build a srong operations in the United States. We partner with more then 50 countries through our affiliate partners all over the globe.
Through this work, I became increasingly engaged with European companies expanding into the Southeast, including Swedish businesses that see Georgia as a strategic gateway to the American market.
One of the great milestones in this journey was the privilege of representing the United States in the America House and other high level meetings, speaking about the opportunities this country has to offer to businesses from around the world. It was also a privilege to represent Ukraine as a nation that the world has rediscovered—not as associated or even part of russia, but as a country of technology, innovation, and resilience. Today - Ukraine stands as a symbol of freedom and reselience for the whole western civilization. All these conversations took place during events surrounding the World Economic Forum in Davos, where I had the honor of participating for two consecutive years, representing Swedish American Chamber of Commerce at the Swedish Luncheon and of course, Sweden is not only a brand in itself but also a global leader in innovation, sustainability, technology, and green energy.
At the same time, my heart remains deeply connected to Ukraine. In 2023 I founded the Global Alliance for Ukraine, a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to building bridges between Ukraine and countries, international partners and allies around the globe. The goal is to support Ukraine as it continues to stand strong—not only because of its unbroken spirit, but also thanks to the support of partners such as Sweden, United States and many more—and eventually rebuild it into a prosperous European nation that will keep protecting the values and freedoms and democracy standing in the gap between the country agressor russia and the rest of the western civilisation.
Serving as Executive Director of the Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce Georgia has been an incredibly rewarding experience. The Swedish business community has built a strong and respected presence in Georgia, and the Chamber plays an important role in supporting these companies while strengthening transatlantic partnerships.
What makes SACC truly unique is the strength of the network across both the United States and Sweden. Being part of the broader Swedish-American Chambers of Commerce of the United States ecosystem allows us to connect business leaders not only locally, but across regions, industries, and continents.
In Georgia, we see our role as a platform—bringing together Swedish companies, American partners, entrepreneurs, and innovators. One example is an upcoming event that will be hosted by our member Axis Communications, where Swedish companies such as Skanska, Evolabel, Axis Communications, and SAS will share insights about innovation and how Swedish technology continues to shape global industries.
Through business roundtables, networking events, and strategic partnerships, our goal is always the same: to create meaningful connections that lead to real opportunities, while addressing the challenges facing businesses in today’s rapidly changing global economy.
Georgia offers a unique combination of global connectivity, strong logistics infrastructure, world-class universities, and a very business-friendly environment. The Port of Savannah is one of the largest and fastest-growing ports in the United States, and Atlanta is home to the world’s busiest airport.
This infrastructure makes the region a natural gateway for international companies entering the U.S. market.
Sweden itself is already a global brand. Swedish companies bring a strong culture of innovation, sustainability, and long-term thinking. These values resonate particularly well with the industries growing across the Southeast—especially in advanced manufacturing, mobility, technology, green innovation, and energy.
Increasingly, Swedish companies are choosing Georgia not just as a market entry point, but as a place to build long-term partnerships and innovation ecosystems.
Looking ahead, the future of transatlantic cooperation will increasingly be driven by technology, innovation, and resilient supply chains. Swedish companies are global leaders in areas such as advanced manufacturing, mobility solutions, sustainability, and digital transformation.
At the same time, the global landscape is evolving quickly, creating new opportunities to connect innovation ecosystems across Europe, the United States, and beyond.
Organizations like SACC play a crucial role in facilitating these connections. By bringing together business leaders, entrepreneurs, and institutions, we can help create partnerships that drive economic growth and long-term collaboration.
For me personally, the mission remains simple: to continue building bridges between people, companies, and countries—making the world a better place for future generations and for our children.
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