Pharmaceuticals, information and communication technologies, and the creative industries have been identified as the basis for the smart specialization of Kyiv. The corresponding decision was made by deputies during the Kyiv City Council meeting.

"Department of Economy and Investments KCSA together with the Institute of Economics and Forecasting of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine have been working to identify areas of smart specialization, which fully meets the recommendations of the EU experts", - said the director of the Department of Economy and Investments Natalia Melnyk.

According to her, in particular, a quantitative and qualitative analysis of available statistical data was conducted, an open discussion of possible areas of smart specialization, prospects for their development.

"Thus, the main areas of smart specialization in Kyiv have been selected and the process of entrepreneurial opening has begun", - Natalia Melnyk added.

A SWOT analysis was conducted for each of the smart areas, identifying the strengths and weaknesses of each selected industry, development opportunities, and threats that may hinder its development.

Thus, it is determined that the greatest impact on the city's economy, export, high entrepreneurial, scientific and innovative potential have such activities as "Computer programming, consulting and related activities", "Manufacture of pharmaceuticals and materials"; "Provision of information services"; "Production of films and videos, television programs, publishing of sound recordings" and "Advertising and market research".

According to Natalia Melnyk, the definition of priority and, most importantly, innovative directions of the city's development is only the first step, both in the process of developing the Kyiv City Development Strategy for the new period on the basis of smart specialization and in the process of full transformation of the city's economy and activities of city authorities. Priorities, goals, and objectives for the development of smart specialization should be included in the City Development Strategy until 2035.

"Measures and specific projects to promote the development of unique and competitive economic activities of the city will be integrated into the Action Plan for the implementation of the Strategy, city target programs, programs of economic and social development of Kyiv", - said Natalia Melnyk.

Currently, the smart specialization of the city of Kyiv is already partially taken into account in the amendments to the Program of Economic and Social Development for 2018-2020, the draft Action Plan for 2019-2020 for the implementation of the Strategy until 2025, several city target programs.

"Approval of the main directions of smart specialization of the capital will allow us to continue working on the draft Strategy for the new period and implementation of all program documents to modern realities, as well as to have opportunities to finance projects from EU structural funds, international organizations, grants", - said Natalia Melnyk.