Third Luxembourg-Ukraine Business Forum – Ukraine Resilience: Key Takeaways and Insights
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Third Luxembourg-Ukraine Business Forum – Ukraine Resilience: Key Takeaways and Insights
On March 5, 2024, the Third Luxembourg-Ukraine Business Forum – Ukraine Resilience successfully brought together top government officials, business leaders, and financial experts to discuss Ukraine’s economic recovery, investment potential, and international partnerships. Hosted by the Luxembourg-Ukraine Chamber of Commerce (LUCC) in collaboration with key stakeholders, the forum provided a high-level platform for dialogue on economic resilience, EU accession, energy security, war risk insurance, and innovation.
Opening Remarks and Strategic Vision
The event commenced with a video address by Xavier Bettel, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Luxembourg, emphasizing Luxembourg’s commitment to supporting Ukraine’s reconstruction and European integration.
Carlo Thelen, Director General of the Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce, underlined the importance of strengthening bilateral trade relations and fostering a favorable business environment for Ukrainian companies in Luxembourg.
Andrew McDowell, Director General of EIB Global, highlighted the European Investment Bank’s (EIB) strategic role in financing Ukraine’s critical infrastructure and supporting economic recovery through investment initiatives.
Ukraine’s Economic Resilience and Investment Climate
A central discussion focused on Ukraine’s economic resilience and investment prospects. Olha Zykova, Deputy Minister of Finance of Ukraine, provided an overview of Ukraine’s fiscal policies, international financial support, and incentives for foreign investors.
Todd Bradshaw, PwC CEE Partner, Global Relationship Partner for Rebuild Ukraine, stressed the importance of war risk insurance mechanisms in attracting private investments, outlining strategies to de-risk business operations in Ukraine.
Lionelle Rapaille, Director of Lending Operations in Enlargement & EU Neighbourhood at EIB Global, discussed financial instruments available for Ukrainian businesses and how international cooperation can ensure long-term economic stability.
Ukraine’s EU Accession and Business Integration
Ukraine’s path to EU accession was another major topic. Serhiy Tereshko, Deputy Head of the Mission of Ukraine to the European Union, detailed the regulatory reforms and policy alignment necessary for Ukraine’s integration into the European market.
Lucas Novelle Araújo, Director – Government & Public Services at PwC, emphasized the role of international advisory firms in helping Ukrainian businesses navigate EU regulations, attract investors, and scale operations.
Energy Security and Innovation
Given the current geopolitical challenges, the discussion on energy security was crucial. Violaine Silvestro Von Kameke, Principal Advisor at EIB Global, presented investment opportunities in Ukraine’s energy sector, including renewable energy projects and decentralized energy systems to enhance sustainability and reduce dependence on external energy sources.
Oleksandr Kurdydyk, Partner at DLA Piper, addressed legal frameworks supporting foreign investments in the Ukrainian energy sector, ensuring a stable and predictable business environment.
Supporting Ukraine’s Tech and Innovation Ecosystem
The forum also showcased Ukraine’s growing tech sector and startup ecosystem. Igor Kobzar (Funely AI), Tatiana Dashevska (SoftBees), and Julia Bialetska (S.Lab) shared their experiences as Ukrainian entrepreneurs scaling globally, underlining the country’s strong talent pool and innovation potential.
Pascal Fabing, Private Sector Expert at LuxDev, discussed Luxembourg’s role in supporting Ukrainian startups, providing access to funding and mentorship programs.
Closing Remarks and Future Cooperation
The forum concluded with networking sessions and strategic discussions, paving the way for further collaborations between Luxembourg and Ukraine in trade, finance, and innovation.
The Luxembourg-Ukraine Chamber of Commerce (LUCC) expresses its deep gratitude to all speakers, sponsors, and attendees who made this event a success. Together, we are building a resilient and prosperous future for Ukraine!
