People Behind BUBC
Kris Beckers — Chairman
Kris Beckers is Chairman of the Belgium–Ukraine Business Club. He is also Honorary Consul of Ukraine in Belgium and representative of the UCCI in Belgium. For many years, he has been actively involved in strengthening business and institutional relations between Belgium and Ukraine and has organized Ukraine-related business events since 2018. Through BUBC, he aims to build a practical platform that supports dialogue, relevant connections, and carefully selected business initiatives linked to Ukraine.
Luc Vancraen — Board Member
Luc Vancraen is a board member and one of the founding members of the Belgium–Ukraine Business Club. He has had a software company in Ukraine since 2000. Under the banner of the business club, he supported Belgium’s donation of the research vessel Belgica (A962), now renamed Borys Alexandrov, to Ukraine for maritime research in the Black Sea. Through his involvement, he contributes to the development of a credible business network between Belgium and Ukraine.
Honorary Counsellors
The Belgium–Ukraine Business Club values the support of respected figures who contribute experience, insight, and credibility to its broader mission.
Informal gathering with BUBC Honorary Counsellors and partners in Limburg, Belgium
H.E. Yaroslav Melnyk
Ambassador of Ukraine to the Kingdom of Belgium and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
Yaroslav Melnyk is a career Ukrainian diplomat. He currently serves as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the Kingdom of Belgium, with concurrent accreditation to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. During his diplomatic career, Ambassador Melnyk has held senior positions within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Office of the President of Ukraine.He previously served as Ambassador of Ukraine to the Italian Republic, with concurrent accreditation to the Republic of San Marino and the Republic of Malta, as well as Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
“Ukraine’s recovery is about rebuilding communities, creating opportunities and strengthening the foundations for future generations. Success will depend on trust, expertise, innovation and long-term commitment. I am convinced that closer cooperation between the Belgian and Ukrainian business communities will transform today’s solidarity into lasting economic growth and contribute to a stronger and more resilient Europe.”
H.E. Luc Jacobs
Ambassador of Belgium to Ukraine
Prior to his current (and second) assignment to Ukraine Luc Jacobs was Special Envoy for Climate and Environment (2022-2024) and served as Belgium’s Ambassador to Poland (with co-accreditation to Lithuania) (2018-2022) and to Ukraine (2014-2018).
“As economic diplomacy is in the DNA of the Belgian Foreign Service, I applaud the creation of the Belgium–Ukraine Business Club. I feel honoured to be associated with its activities. I readily make my professional network and expertise available in this joint endeavour to foster fruitful relations between Belgian and Ukrainian businesses”.
H.E. Mykola Tochytskyi
Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the Council of Europe
Ambassador Mykola Tochytskyi is a Ukrainian diplomat with extensive experience in European and international affairs. He currently serves as Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the Council of Europe. He previously served as Minister of Culture and Strategic Communications of Ukraine, Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Head of the Mission of Ukraine to the European Union, Ambassador of Ukraine to Belgium and Luxembourg, and Consul General of Ukraine in San Francisco.
“It is a pleasure to support the Belgium–Ukraine Business Club as an Honorary Counsellor. I remember well the first Belgium–Ukraine business event organised by Honorary Consul Kris Beckers at the Embassy of Ukraine in Belgium in 2018. It was an important initiative to bring entrepreneurs and partners from both countries closer together and to support EU-oriented business dialogue and projects between Ukraine and Belgium. I look forward to contributing to continued cooperation between our two countries.”
H.E. Vsevolod Chentsov
Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine
Vsevolod Chentsov was appointed Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine in July 2026. From 2021 to 2026, he served as Ambassador and Head of the Mission of Ukraine to the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community. Earlier in his diplomatic career, he served as Ambassador of Ukraine to the Kingdom of the Netherlands and held several senior positions at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, including Director of the European Union Department.
“I am honoured to be part of the Belgium–Ukraine Business Club. It is a unique platform where important discussions and practical steps are taking place. I am pleased to contribute from the EU perspective, as Ukrainian business is actively integrating into the Single Market and is already an integral part of it.”
Mr. Kris Put
Flanders Investment & Trade
After graduating with a Master’s degree in Marketing, Kris Put built a career in both the private and governmental sector. In the private sector, he achieved strong results in sales and new market development. He later joined Flanders Investment & Trade as Trade Commissioner, supporting Flemish exports and attracting investment to the region. Since March 2023, he has overseen FIT’s role with regard to Rebuild Ukraine. He is currently posted in Warsaw, where he follows Poland and Ukraine as jurisdictions.
“The Belgium–Ukraine Business Club is a valuable initiative that brings together relevant people, experience and networks in support of stronger economic cooperation between Belgium and Ukraine. Its practical approach and clear focus on dialogue, business development and long-term partnership give the club real added value.”
Prof. Univ. Dr. Dr. h.c. Jan De Maere
I strongly believe in individual freedom of expression, independent justice, and democracy. For this reason, I have supported Ukraine’s fight for these values since 2014, and even more so today. I hope for justice and lasting peace for Ukraine in this war.
"I consider the Belgium–Ukraine Business Club to be an important platform for information, communication, and business dialogue that can support the development of a free and democratic Ukraine. I have already been involved in several business gatherings organised by its founder, Honorary consul Kris Beckers, which were always very well organised and of a high quality."
Mr. Jean‑Erik S. de Zagon
Member of the Supervisory Board of Raiffeisen Bank Ukraine, member of the Luxembourg Institute of Directors (ILA), former Head of the Regional Hub for Eastern Europe at the European Investment Bank (EIB), and former Head of the EIB Permanent Representation in Kyiv. Previously, he served as Head of Asset Management at the EIB, overseeing approximately EUR 20 billion in assets under management.
“It is a privilege to be an Honorary Counsellor to the Belgium–Ukraine Business Club. Ukraine currently needs the support of international investors and business leaders in order to rebuild the country. At the same time, Ukraine has the ambition to build a modern, dynamic, and transparent society. The country also has strong capacities in IT and high-tech sectors, offering significant opportunities for international business cooperation. With its extensive network in both Ukraine and Belgium, the Belgium–Ukraine Business Club serves as an essential bridge for business people.”
Mr. Roman Andarak
Head of Cabinet of the Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration.
Former Deputy Minister of Energy of Ukraine and former Deputy / Acting Head of Mission of Ukraine to the European Union.
“Busineess and investment cooperation between Ukraine and Belgium builds on deep and longstanding ties between our two nations. Over the years, our countries and peoples have developed strong connections based on shared European values, cultural exchange, and economic cooperation. Today, expanding trade and investment relations creates new opportunities for businesses and investors, while also strengthening a partnership that can contribute significantly to Ukraine’s recovery, modernization, and sustainable economic growth, and open new prospects for companies in both countries.”
BUBC continues to develop step by step, with the aim of remaining a serious, practical, and trusted platform for business dialogue between Belgium and Ukraine.
About BUBC
The Belgium–Ukraine Business Club was established in 2022, building on a series of well-received business events organized since 2018 by Kris Beckers in his capacity as Honorary Consul of Ukraine in Belgium. One of these was a business round table held at the InterContinental Hotel in Kyiv at the end of 2021, where owners and representatives of Belgian companies had an open dialogue with governmental representatives about the investment climate in Ukraine and the obstacles holding them back from making further investments. Following this exchange, several business leaders expressed the wish to see such initiatives continue, which ultimately led to the creation of the club.
The club was founded to bring together Belgian and Ukrainian entrepreneurs, companies, and relevant stakeholders in a practical and realistic way, with particular attention to investment, economic recovery, and Ukraine’s current business environment.
BUBC aims to remain selective, credible, and useful. Its activities are focused on carefully chosen events, trusted connections, and relevant information that can help support mutually beneficial business relations between Belgium and Ukraine.
Our Mission
Trusted Connections
We bring together Belgian and Ukrainian entrepreneurs, companies, and relevant governmental, institutional, and financial stakeholders through carefully selected events, trusted contacts, and meaningful dialogue.
Investment and Economic Recovery Dialogue
We support informed dialogue around investment, reconstruction-related opportunities, and the practical conditions shaping Ukraine’s economic recovery and long-term future development.
Practical Insight
We provide carefully selected information and perspectives on Ukraine’s business climate, current priorities, support frameworks, and relevant EU initiatives supporting Ukraine’s recovery and development.