The EBA discussed urgent business issues in frontline regions

27/ 06/ 2025

Ukraine Recovery Committee of the European Business Association, together with the EBA’s Dnipro, Southern Ukrainian and Kharkiv Offices, BDO Ukraine, representatives of the Verkhovna Rada, central authorities, regional military administrations, cultural initiatives, and businesses, held a roundtable dedicated to doing business in Ukraine’s frontline regions. Opening the event, Vira Savchenko, CEO of BDO Ukraine and Co-Chair of the EBA’s Ukraine Recovery Committee, emphasised that it is in the frontline regions where new models of governance, security, education, and cultural life are emerging — on the edge, yet full of potential. Today, we are discussing a key issue — how to attract international capital to frontline areas. The outcomes of this discussion will be presented at the URC in Rome — a platform where business, investment, and development must be addressed. Svitlana Mykhailovska, Deputy Director of the European Business Association, spoke in detail about the essential role of business as a driver of Ukraine’s recovery, particularly in frontline regions. She highlighted that the EBA had developed comprehensive support proposals for businesses operating in such areas. It includes concrete proposals such as tax relief, improved access to loan programmes, war risk insurance, infrastructure restoration, and the introduction of digital solutions to ease business operations. Some of these proposals are already being implemented, such as the expansion of grant programmes and pilot projects for zonal air raid alert systems. The EBA welcomes such initiatives by the Government and regional administrations and hopes for further implementation of its recommendations. Businesses in frontline areas require particular attention and support, as their continued operation is a crucial precondition for recovery and the return of residents. Olena Shuliak, Chairwoman of a Committee in the Verkhovna Rada for the Organization of the State Power, Local Self-Government, Regional Development and Urban Planning, noted that nearly 15% of registered businesses operate in frontline areas, pay taxes, and sustain the economy. She emphasised that public policy must support these enterprises through updated local development strategies, urban planning documents, and access to financial resources and human capital. Denys Harasiuta, Board Member of the Export Credit Agency (ECA), presented specific tools to support businesses, including war risk insurance and export credit coverage. These mechanisms are designed to help businesses attract investment and secure necessary financing even in high-risk frontline areas. They are intended to boost economic activity and support Ukraine’s export potential. Serhii Sukhomlyn, Head of the State Agency for Restoration and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine, said that the state is focusing its efforts on the comprehensive recovery of frontline regions. This includes investment in logistics, mobile shelters, and secure infrastructure. He also noted the importance of transitioning to new project evaluation mechanisms that consider not only cost but also technological solutions. Yevhen Ivanov, Deputy Head of the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration, shared examples of how damaged businesses are being supported. The administration maintains active communication with businesses, helps with relocation, finds partners, and assists in compensation processes. Despite ongoing shelling, many companies manage to resume operations within a day or two. Artem Mishyn, Head of the Economic Development Department at the Kherson Regional Military Administration, said that the main priorities post-de-occupation were demining, restoring tax and banking services, and launching state support programmes. Last year, the portfolio of the 5-7-9% programme grew by UAH 800 million. Moreover, the number of micro-entrepreneurs receiving microgrants is steadily increasing — a key driver of renewed economic activity in the region. Mykola Sierga, Head of the “Cultural Forces” project, stressed the importance of the cultural factor. Culture not only sustains morale but also helps rebuild trust, foster community cohesion, and support veterans in adapting to civilian life. Cultural projects in frontline communities directly influence peoples resilience and motivation. Olha Balytska, Co-Chair of the EBA’s Ukraine Recovery Committee, noted that Ukrainian businesses have not only adapted to wartime conditions but have also developed unique practices that could benefit the global community. According to her, Ukraine’s business story is one of transformation, determination, and forward-thinking action. Ihor Balaka, Head of the Coordination Council of the Kharkiv Office of the ЕВА, highlighted the importance of coordination between business, local authorities, and international organisations. In a region constantly under shelling, the ЕВА helps businesses navigate support programmes, secure grants, and identify new opportunities. He emphasised that the ability of businesses to swiftly resume operations is a true sign of resilience. We are working on the creation of a register of affected enterprises and facilitate communication when people from destroyed businesses find employment in other communities. Additionally, as part of the activities of the Kharkiv Office of the European Business Association, we are promoting the establishment of twinning relations between communities in the Kharkiv and Kyiv regions. One of the main focuses of these partnerships is supporting businesses in front-line areas and enabling participation in reconstruction and demining programmes funded not by the state, but by other institutions. Kostiantyn Furman, Head of the Operational and Legal Support Department at Agrofusion Group, spoke about the recovery of agribusiness in southern Ukraine. He noted that relocation is not an option for the sector due to its specific nature. He emphasised the need for state support of large enterprises, which in turn generate demand for smaller businesses and form an economic chain sustaining regional economies. Despite attacks, farmers continue working in the fields, supplying both domestic and export markets. Thanks to advanced technologies and international partnerships, the company plans to expand production and serves as an example of resilience in high-risk areas. Olena Bizyaeva, Director of Legal and Government Relations Department at ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih, highlighted how large companies are adapting to wartime conditions by reorganising production, revising logistics chains, and implementing security measures. The company is actively addressing staff shortages, including through the hiring and retraining of veterans, underscoring that business in Ukraine is first and foremost about people who are ready to act in the face of adversity. Summing up the roundtable discussion, Vira Savchenko highlighted the high level of trust in business during wartime, particularly in small and medium-sized enterprises. Citing a Forbes survey, she noted that 49% of Ukrainians trust the Armed Forces most, followed by 30% who trust small businesses, 25% — volunteer organisations, and 23% — medium businesses. In her view, this indicates that throughout the full-scale invasion, business has proven to be a reliable partner to society, a major competitive advantage for Ukraine. The video of the meeting is available here. We are grateful to all speakers and partners for an engaging discussion on business resilience in wartime. Special thanks to our event partners — BDO Ukraine and Morshynska.

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Opening the event, Vira Savchenko, CEO of BDO Ukraine and Co-Chair of the EBA’s Ukraine Recovery Committee, emphasised that it is in the frontline regions where new models of governance, security, education, and cultural life are emerging — on the edge, yet full of potential.

Today, we are discussing a key issue — how to attract international capital to frontline areas. The outcomes of this discussion will be presented at the URC in Rome — a platform where business, investment, and development must be addressed.

Svitlana Mykhailovska, Deputy Director of the European Business Association, spoke in detail about the essential role of business as a driver of Ukraine’s recovery, particularly in frontline regions. She highlighted that the EBA had developed comprehensive support proposals for businesses operating in such areas. It includes concrete proposals such as tax relief, improved access to loan programmes, war risk insurance, infrastructure restoration, and the introduction of digital solutions to ease business operations. Some of these proposals are already being implemented, such as the expansion of grant programmes and pilot projects for zonal air raid alert systems.

The EBA welcomes such initiatives by the Government and regional administrations and hopes for further implementation of its recommendations. Businesses in frontline areas require particular attention and support, as their continued operation is a crucial precondition for recovery and the return of residents.

Olena Shuliak, Chairwoman of a Committee in the Verkhovna Rada for the Organization of the State Power, Local Self-Government, Regional Development and Urban Planning, noted that nearly 15% of registered businesses operate in frontline areas, pay taxes, and sustain the economy. She emphasised that public policy must support these enterprises through updated local development strategies, urban planning documents, and access to financial resources and human capital.

Denys Harasiuta, Board Member of the Export Credit Agency (ECA), presented specific tools to support businesses, including war risk insurance and export credit coverage. These mechanisms are designed to help businesses attract investment and secure necessary financing even in high-risk frontline areas. They are intended to boost economic activity and support Ukraine’s export potential.

Serhii Sukhomlyn, Head of the State Agency for Restoration and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine, said that the state is focusing its efforts on the comprehensive recovery of frontline regions. This includes investment in logistics, mobile shelters, and secure infrastructure. He also noted the importance of transitioning to new project evaluation mechanisms that consider not only cost but also technological solutions.

Yevhen Ivanov, Deputy Head of the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration, shared examples of how damaged businesses are being supported. The administration maintains active communication with businesses, helps with relocation, finds partners, and assists in compensation processes. Despite ongoing shelling, many companies manage to resume operations within a day or two.

Artem Mishyn, Head of the Economic Development Department at the Kherson Regional Military Administration, said that the main priorities post-de-occupation were demining, restoring tax and banking services, and launching state support programmes. Last year, the portfolio of the 5-7-9% programme grew by UAH 800 million. Moreover, the number of micro-entrepreneurs receiving microgrants is steadily increasing — a key driver of renewed economic activity in the region.

Mykola Sierga, Head of the “Cultural Forces” project, stressed the importance of the cultural factor. Culture not only sustains morale but also helps rebuild trust, foster community cohesion, and support veterans in adapting to civilian life. Cultural projects in frontline communities directly influence people’s resilience and motivation.

Olha Balytska, Co-Chair of the EBA’s Ukraine Recovery Committee, noted that Ukrainian businesses have not only adapted to wartime conditions but have also developed unique practices that could benefit the global community. According to her, Ukraine’s business story is one of transformation, determination, and forward-thinking action.

Ihor Balaka, Head of the Coordination Council of the Kharkiv Office of the ЕВА, highlighted the importance of coordination between business, local authorities, and international organisations. In a region constantly under shelling, the ЕВА helps businesses navigate support programmes, secure grants, and identify new opportunities. He emphasised that the ability of businesses to swiftly resume operations is a true sign of resilience.

We are working on the creation of a register of affected enterprises and facilitate communication when people from destroyed businesses find employment in other communities. Additionally, as part of the activities of the Kharkiv Office of the European Business Association, we are promoting the establishment of twinning relations between communities in the Kharkiv and Kyiv regions. One of the main focuses of these partnerships is supporting businesses in front-line areas and enabling participation in reconstruction and demining programmes funded not by the state, but by other institutions.

Kostiantyn Furman, Head of the Operational and Legal Support Department at Agrofusion Group, spoke about the recovery of agribusiness in southern Ukraine. He noted that relocation is not an option for the sector due to its specific nature. He emphasised the need for state support of large enterprises, which in turn generate demand for smaller businesses and form an economic chain sustaining regional economies. Despite attacks, farmers continue working in the fields, supplying both domestic and export markets. Thanks to advanced technologies and international partnerships, the company plans to expand production and serves as an example of resilience in high-risk areas.

Olena Bizyaeva, Director of Legal and Government Relations Department at ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih, highlighted how large companies are adapting to wartime conditions by reorganising production, revising logistics chains, and implementing security measures. The company is actively addressing staff shortages, including through the hiring and retraining of veterans, underscoring that business in Ukraine is first and foremost about people who are ready to act in the face of adversity.

Summing up the roundtable discussion, Vira Savchenko highlighted the high level of trust in business during wartime, particularly in small and medium-sized enterprises. Citing a Forbes survey, she noted that 49% of Ukrainians trust the Armed Forces most, followed by 30% who trust small businesses, 25% — volunteer organisations, and 23% — medium businesses. In her view, this indicates that throughout the full-scale invasion, business has proven to be a reliable partner to society, a major competitive advantage for Ukraine.

The video of the meeting is available here.

We are grateful to all speakers and partners for an engaging discussion on business resilience in wartime. Special thanks to our event partners — BDO Ukraine and Morshynska.