EBA meets with DG ENEST delegation

30/ 04/ 2026

On 28 April in Kyiv, representatives of the European Business Association met with a delegation from the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Enlargement and Eastern Neighbourhood (DG ENEST) to discuss key issues for business and Ukraine’s European integration. The Association presented the latest assessment of the investment climate based on its research. Despite the war, 72% of companies plan to invest in Ukraine in 2026, indicating sustained business confidence and long-term expectations. At the same time, overall assessments remain cautious. Among the main negative factors, businesses highlight security risks, tax burden, regulatory pressure, and labour shortages, while positive drivers include European integration reforms, digitalisation, the resilience of the financial system, and business adaptability. Participants also discussed Ukraine’s potential accession to SEPA as an important step towards simplifying and reducing the cost of euro payments, the preparation of a new Customs Code aligned with EU standards, customs reform, and the development of public procurement. Particular attention was paid to the prospects of concluding the Agreement on Conformity Assessment and Acceptance of Industrial Products (ACAA, the so-called “industrial visa-free regime”), which would create additional opportunities for Ukrainian manufacturers in the EU market. In the discussion on harmonising payment legislation, banking representatives emphasised the importance of setting realistic timelines and introducing regulation of interchange fees in a phased manner, taking into account wartime challenges, post-war recovery needs, and the necessity to maintain investment in payment infrastructure. Representatives of the European Commission confirmed that a candidate country may independently determine the timing and sequencing of implementing relevant EU rules, and that such proposals should be reflected in Ukraine’s negotiating position. The Association thanks the European Commission for the constructive dialogue and looks forward to continued cooperation and support for Ukraine’s European integration path.

The Association presented the latest assessment of the investment climate based on its research. Despite the war, 72% of companies plan to invest in Ukraine in 2026, indicating sustained business confidence and long-term expectations. At the same time, overall assessments remain cautious. Among the main negative factors, businesses highlight security risks, tax burden, regulatory pressure, and labour shortages, while positive drivers include European integration reforms, digitalisation, the resilience of the financial system, and business adaptability.

Participants also discussed Ukraine’s potential accession to SEPA as an important step towards simplifying and reducing the cost of euro payments, the preparation of a new Customs Code aligned with EU standards, customs reform, and the development of public procurement. Particular attention was paid to the prospects of concluding the Agreement on Conformity Assessment and Acceptance of Industrial Products (ACAA, the so-called “industrial visa-free regime”), which would create additional opportunities for Ukrainian manufacturers in the EU market.

In the discussion on harmonising payment legislation, banking representatives emphasised the importance of setting realistic timelines and introducing regulation of interchange fees in a phased manner, taking into account wartime challenges, post-war recovery needs, and the necessity to maintain investment in payment infrastructure. Representatives of the European Commission confirmed that a candidate country may independently determine the timing and sequencing of implementing relevant EU rules, and that such proposals should be reflected in Ukraine’s negotiating position.

The Association thanks the European Commission for the constructive dialogue and looks forward to continued cooperation and support for Ukraine’s European integration path.