Thu. 10
April
2025
Welcome
High-level opening: Partnering for Ukraine’s Economic Future: Investment, Recovery, and EU Integration
The High-Level Opening of the EU-Ukraine Business Summit brings together key European and Ukrainian leaders to reaffirm the EU’s unwavering support for Ukraine’s recovery and long-term economic resilience. As Ukraine continues to defend its sovereignty, the EU stands firmly as its strongest economic and political partner, ensuring that reconstruction efforts are aligned with Ukraine’s EU accession path and economic modernisation.
Ukraine’s path to the EU: how accession reforms can boost business
As Ukraine progresses on its EU accession path, ongoing reforms are shaping a more transparent, predictable, and competitive business environment. This panel, co-organised with Italy in the lead-up to URC2025, will examine how regulatory alignment with the EU Single Market, anti-corruption measures, and economic modernisation are creating new opportunities for businesses in both Ukraine and the EU.
Reconstructing Ukraine and Reindustrialising Europe: A Shared Economic Future
Ukraine’s reconstruction represents a long-term investment in Europe’s industrial capacity. Public investment in infrastructure, energy, transport, and construction is driving the modernisation of Ukraine’s industrial base, while its deepening economic integration with the EU is set to reinforce Europe’s reindustrialisation and strategic resilience. As Ukraine aligns with EU industrial and regulatory standards, these efforts will help diversify supply chains, strengthen industrial ecosystems, and enhance economic competitiveness across the continent. In this context, Ukraine’s integration into the EU is not only a geopolitical imperative but also a strategic economic opportunity for Europe as a whole.
Lunch Break
Showcasing Impact and Opportunities: Real-world success stories of EU-backed investments in Ukraine
Real-world success stories of EU-backed investments in Ukraine. Through videos and live Q&A, investors and beneficiaries will share insights on overcoming challenges, leveraging EU support, and expanding business operations.
De-risking Investment in Wartime: Rebuilding Market Confidence
Reinsurance is key to reviving international trade, attracting investment, and strengthening Ukraine’s developing insurance market. This panel will bring together global industry leaders to address barriers to war-risk coverage. Speakers will discuss how tailored solutions and regulatory support can restore investor confidence and enable long-term economic recovery.
Hands-on Session: How to Invest in Ukraine Now: Practical Guidance for Businesses
This interactive and solution-driven session will provide practical guidance for international businesses looking to invest in Ukraine through the Ukraine Investment Framework (UIF) and other available mechanisms. The discussion will feature insights from the European Commission, the Government of Ukraine, IFIs, local partner banks, and Ukrainian businesses, ensuring a comprehensive overview of investment opportunities, financing tools, risk mitigation mechanisms, and key regulatory considerations.
Access to Finance for SMEs: Empowering War Veterans and Vulnerable Groups and leveraging Export Credit Agencies for investments by SMEs
SMEs are the backbone of the Ukrainian and European economies and essential for sustainable recovery. This panel will explore financial mechanisms to support SMEs, enhance access to capital, and drive economic resilience, with a focus on war veterans, displaced persons, and businesses in front-line regions. Speakers will also explore the role of Export Credit Agencies can play with the support of the European Investment Fund to support SMEs.
Closing Remarks
Cultural side event and Reception
Fri. 11
April
2025
Workshop - FDI and Privatisation as a Gateway to Ukraine: Unlocking Investment Potential
This workshop will spotlight foreign direct investment (FDI) opportunities in Ukraine and how the country’s privatization program offers a strategic entry point for European businesses. Participants will also gain practical guidance on navigating Ukraine’s evolving regulatory landscape and learn how to access EU financing instruments such as the Ukraine Investment Framework and project preparation facilities. Backed by a clear governmental strategy, Ukraine is building a growing portfolio of high-potential assets while advancing EU-aligned reforms and market integration. Experts will highlight key investment opportunities across major sectors and present upcoming privatisation projects.
Workshop - Investments in Ukrainian ports – boosting their role as intermodal gateways for trade and logistics hubs
Panel - EU accession reforms: the business point of view
Ukraine’s path toward EU integration presents both a crucial opportunity and a significant challenge for its economic recovery and long-term development. The private sector as a key driver of economic stability, has a pivotal role to play. Attracting foreign investment, addressing the human capital crisis caused by population displacement, and ensuring that EU reforms effectively translate into tangible business opportunities will be key themes for this discussion leading up to the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2025. The panel will foster an open and constructive dialogue among business leaders and policymakers on how EU accession reforms can act as a catalyst for Ukraine’s economic transformation.
Beyond Risk: Unlocking Ukraine’s “Courage Premium”
With projected GDP growth of 4-5%, EU accession reforms, and a pro-business environment, Ukraine offers substantial opportunities for early investors.
The "courage premium" concept highlights the high returns and strategic advantages for those who invest early despite perceived risks, particularly in sectors like infrastructure, energy, defense, and digital innovation, as post-war reconstruction unlocks a $500 billion+ investment landscape.
The session will focus on practical risk management strategies, including the role of war risk insurance and other financial tools that mitigate exposure.
The goal of the session is to shift the investment narrative by addressing perceived risks and encouraging active engagement. By providing real-world perspectives and highlighting effective strategies, the session will reinforce Ukraine’s potential as a long-term growth hub and an integral part of Europe’s economic future.
Workshop - Reforms as Enablers for Critical Sectors: Public-Private Synergies in Energy and Infrastructure
Workshop - B2B Cooperation: Lessons Learned and New Pathways to Strengthen EU-Ukraine Business Links
Ukrainian businesses have faced various challenges—infrastructure and production site damage, relocations, energy shortages, and labour market constraints. Yet, they continue to demonstrate resilience, adaptability, and a strong drive for innovation and internationalisation. Many have turned these challenges into opportunities by forging deeper connections with the EU market, embracing new technologies, or exploring new business models to remain agile in a rapidly changing environment.This workshop will bring together companies and Business Support Organizations to share insights on the successes of EU-Ukraine business cooperation and explore ways to strengthen economic ties.
This workshop will bring together companies and Business Support Organizations to share insights on the successes of EU-Ukraine business cooperation and explore ways to strengthen economic ties.
Light networking Lunch
Workshop - Leveraging Political Risk Insurance: The Role Of Credit Insurers In Driving Investment
Featuring insights from representatives of Credit Insurers and Export Credit Agencies, policymakers, business leaders, this session will provide a practical overview of political risk insurance mechanisms that support long-term investments in Ukraine. Experts will discuss how Credit Insurers can help reduce financial uncertainty, unlock new investment opportunities, and facilitate safe market entry for European companies.
Workshop - Investments in renewable energy – bottlenecks & success stories: on crowding-in European private capital and businesses for the transformation of Ukraine’s energy sector
Workshop - How to attract private investment to enhance transport and logistics infrastructure in Western Ukraine/near the Polish-Ukrainian border
Workshop - Driving Business Success: Ukrainian Women Leaders Bridging Skill Gaps