Global Business for Ukraine

GB4U has joined the Rebuild Ukraine Сonference 🛠️ On November 13-14, the Rebuild Ukraine conference took place in Warsaw. Rebuild Ukraine is a platform for sharing experiences and strengthening economic ties between Ukrainian businesses and international investors, fostering economic recovery even amidst the war. EBA and GB4U representatives, Svitlana Mykhailovska and Anna Cohen, attended the conference to provide insights into the current state of Ukrainian business, highlight key challenges and barriers to investment, and emphasize the critical need for easier access to capital during wartime. We are always happy to showcase Ukraine’s investment potential to a broader audience. If you are interested in doing business in Ukraine or partnering with Ukrainian companies, please contact us at office@gb4u.org.

The U.S. State Department has updated its travel advisory for Ukraine, reducing the risk level for nine regions. This change makes traveling to some Ukrainian regions easier for business purposes, fostering potential for economic growth and investment. The following regions now have a “Level 3: Reconsider Travel” advisory instead of the previous “Level 4: Do Not Travel”: Volyn, Lviv, Zakarpattia, Ivano-Frankivsk, Chernivtsi, Ternopil, Rivne, Khmelnytskyi and Zhytomyr. These regions are located farther from active combat zones and are now more accessible, presenting new opportunities for international business initiatives. The decision to lower the travel risk level reflects progress in stabilizing parts of Ukraine and signals a pathway for businesses to reconnect with these regions. However, the unpredictable nature of the ongoing war requires vigilance and caution.

Amid wartime challenges, Ukraine’s business sector navigates with resilience as investors remain cautiously optimistic. On November 5, Global Business for Ukraine, together with the European Business Association and Raiffeisen Bank, held the “EU-Ukraine Economic Partnerships” event. This gathering brought together European and Ukrainian businesses, authorities, and institutions to explore key topics, including EU-Ukraine relations, financial tools for rebuilding Ukraine, and energy independence. Read more: https://lnkd.in/dWfshgGQ

📢 On November 6, representatives of the Global Business for Ukraine and European Business Association held a meeting with the JETRO - Japan External Trade Organization 👥 During the event, we met with Tetsuo Shibata, General Director of JETRO Kyiv; Tomohiro Yoden, Deputy General Director of JETRO Warsaw; and Ryohei Sakaguchi, JETRO Coordinator for Ukraine. At the meeting, we discussed possible areas of cooperation of the EBA and GB4U with JETRO. Our Japanese colleagues shared key areas of interest for potential investors, particularly in import-export opportunities between Ukraine and Japan. 🌏🇯🇵 We thank the JETRO representatives for a productive meeting and look forward to successful collaboration!

📉 The outlook among top managers on the investment climate in Ukraine remains cautious, although the share of the most pessimistic evaluations is gradually decreasing. The number of managers who describe the investment climate as “extremely unfavorable” has decreased from 53% in 2022 to 20% this year. This indicates that businesses adapt to new realities, although significant challenges remain. 📊 Anna Derevyanko, EBA Executive Director and GB4U Co-Founder, notes: “Despite the unstable business environment, investment climate assessments show a slight improvement, which indicates that companies are adapting. This year's key negative factors include the shadow economy, which confirms the increased demand for combating the shadow sector in the context of raising taxes for transparent businesses. The EU membership candidacy has been an important positive factor for the third year, so we at the Association will continue to focus on European integration activities, including building a strong negotiating position for Ukraine.”   💼 CEOs have different expectations for further development: 49% predict a deterioration in the investment environment, 33% do not expect changes, and 18% are hopeful for improvement. This indicates a cautious attitude in forecasts, but companies continue to operate in difficult conditions. CEOs acknowledge that sustainable operation in an uncertain environment requires new approaches and strategies.   🌍 Volodymyr Lavrenchuk, Country Manager of NEQSOL Holding Ukraine, notes: “Despite the difficult situation, there are still investment opportunities in Ukraine. This, for example, is confirmed by the recent decision of the international group of companies NEQSOL HOLDING to become a strategic investor in one of the world's largest producers of titanium raw materials - UMCC. 70% of EBA member companies participating in this year's survey are also planning to invest in Ukraine. In my opinion, the investment potential of Ukraine will be successfully realized primarily by those investors who understand the Ukrainian market, have relevant management experience in the context of war, and are also present in international markets where they have well-developed business partnerships. The implementation of appropriate compliance and ESG practices will ensure the sustainability of such investments in the context of Ukraine's integration into the EU.”   See all the results of the survey: https://lnkd.in/d9QKisBV

📊 70% of surveyed companies will continue to invest in Ukraine despite the war. The European Business Association together with NEQSOL HOLDING presented the results of the “Investment Attractiveness Index of Ukraine - 2024”, which amounted to 2.49 points out of 5 total. A slight but positive increase compared to last year (2.44 in 2023) demonstrates the adaptation of business even in conditions of a challenging situation. Key facts: ✔️ 70% of companies intend to invest in Ukraine ✔️ The number of those who consider the investment climate to be “extremely unfavorable” has decreased from 53% in 2022 to 20% in 2024 ✔️ The main challenges for investment include war, corruption, and a weak judicial system ✔️ Positive factors include Ukraine's candidacy for EU membership, the abolition of duties and quotas, transport visa-free travel with the EU, and the digitalization of public services Read more about how business in Ukraine continues to adapt and what factors affect the investment climate in the report 👉 https://lnkd.in/d9QKisBV

GB4U Business Luncheon in Barcelona 🌍 On October 29, Global Business for Ukraine hosted an exclusive Talk & Taste Business Luncheon in Barcelona, creating a welcoming space for leaders to connect, collaborate, and explore shared goals. We were pleased to gather Ukrainian, Spanish, and international businesses in a relaxed atmosphere to foster new connections, learn from one another, and uncover opportunities for strategic partnerships. Special thanks to ACCIÓ, Adlanter, de Paauw architecture & landscape, Farmak, GABITEL Solutions Ltd, GAPTEK - Building Solutions, IDOM Consulting, Engineering, Architecture, umgi, and the Consulate of Ukraine in Barcelona for joining us. Our Business Luncheons are designed for senior decision-makers from diverse sectors. By bringing together 8-10 business leaders in a private, high-end setting, we enable meaningful conversations where business insights and potential partnerships come to life. Interested in joining our future gatherings? Contact us at office@gb4u.org. 

Last week, Iaroslava Savastieieva, GB4U Co-Founder and Deputy Director of the European Business Association, spoke at the charity evening within the Enlit Europe 2024 energy forum. The forum brought together innovators and key players in the energy sector to jointly shape the future of the industry. Iaroslava shared her insights on the investment climate in Ukraine and the main factors that influence it. She also spoke about business readiness for the winter season as well as the resilience and flexibility of businesses in Ukraine. The charity evening aimed at raising funds for the construction of solar power plants for Ukrainian hospitals and schools. Along with the fundraising purpose, this evening became a platform for dialogue between top managers of Ukrainian and EU companies that operate in the energy sector. Global Business for Ukraine is grateful to the Energy Act for Ukraine Foundation for the invitation and the opportunity to speak at such an important event in the energy sector to bring international attention to Ukraine’s needs.

A recent survey by the European Business Association found that 87% of companies in Ukraine have felt the impact of power outages. Despite these challenges, the resilience of Ukrainian businesses shines through! Details: https://lnkd.in/dnsu2Da3 📊 A remarkable 85% of companies have invested in energy independence since 2022, with a significant increase in investments. Today, 66% of surveyed companies have their own generation or alternative energy sources. This shift not only enhances operational reliability but also positions Ukrainian businesses as reliable partners and suppliers in the global market. 🔑 Key highlights from the survey: 24% of companies have solar generation, 19% have energy storage, 17% have new networks and infrastructure, 11% have distributed gas generation Despite facing external challenges, 82% of companies plan to maintain normal operations this winter While challenges like military actions and regulatory hurdles exist, the drive for energy autonomy showcases the innovative spirit of Ukrainian businesses. By prioritizing energy independence, Ukrainian companies are reinforcing their commitment to reliability and sustainability 🌱

🌐 What’s new in the Ukrainian IT sphere?   The recent Ukraine Tech Conference, co-organized by Global Business for Ukraine, brought together government and business leaders to discuss the future of the IT industry in Ukraine. See more details: https://lnkd.in/dbSqpEtK   🔑 The key takeaway? As the industry approaches 5% of the nation's GDP, it is clear that IT is not just vital to the economy but is also a cornerstone for growth amid ongoing challenges. 💬 The participants of the first panel highlighted the results of digital platforms and the challenges the state and businesses face in implementing digital solutions. 💬 During the second panel, speakers dived into Ukraine's post-war future and groundbreaking IT innovations. Experts highlighted the priority areas of IT industry growth, such as military tech, quantum computing and neurotechnology, and the semiconductor industry.   💬 The participants of the third panel discussed the role of education and science in Ukraine's national security. The speakers emphasized the significance of integrating education and science into practical applications.   Ukraine Tech Conference highlighted the remarkable resilience and strategic importance of the IT sector in Ukraine.