The European Business Association congratulates Serhii Koretskyi on his appointment as Prime Minister of Ukraine, as well as the newly appointed Ministers, and wishes them every success in their new roles.
The EBA is grateful to the previous Cabinet of Ministers for its cooperation and expects the renewed Government to continue implementing the reforms that are essential for the country, ensure consistency in Ukraine’s European integration course, and pay particular attention to policies that strengthen the country’s economic resilience, preserve business activity, and attract investment.
At the same time, the Association looks forward to the permanent appointments of the Minister of Defence of Ukraine and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine. These are two critically important positions during the full-scale war, with direct responsibility for the country’s defence capabilities and international cooperation.
The business community hopes for a balanced and prudent кадрова policy that will enable Ukraine to continue reforms, strengthen state institutions, and improve the effectiveness of public governance.
Business expectations of the Government remain consistent. According to the EBA’s latest survey of CEOs of member companies, the top priorities for the Government in 2026 are: combating corruption (60%), advancing judicial reform and strengthening the rule of law (54%), fulfilling Ukraine’s commitments under its EU candidate status (36%), and ensuring macroeconomic stability (35%).
The fact that European integration has emerged among the key expectations once again confirms that Ukraine’s path towards EU membership is crucial not only for Ukrainian society, but also for businesses that operate and invest in the country. Taking into account the survey results, the current concerns of member companies, and the Association’s priorities for 2026, the European Business Association proposes that the new Government focus on the following ten priority areas.
1. Ensuring Macroeconomic and Financial Stability
Maintaining responsible fiscal and tax policies, fulfilling commitments to international partners—including the IMF—and delivering the reforms and milestones under the Ukraine Facility should remain top priorities. It is equally important to preserve the stability of the banking system, maintain predictable foreign exchange policy, and continue gradual currency liberalisation in line with security and macroeconomic conditions. Business also considers strengthening the self-sufficiency of Ukraine’s economy and gradually reducing dependence on external financial assistance to be strategic objectives.
2. Accelerating European Integration and Delivering on Ukraine’s Commitments
European integration reforms should go beyond the formal transposition of EU legislation and become a well-planned transformation of Ukraine’s regulatory environment. Businesses should be systematically involved in preparing negotiation positions, assessing the impact of EU legislation, and determining realistic transition periods. It is also important to accelerate the conclusion of the ACAA Agreement, further integrate Ukraine into the EU Single Market, and remove barriers to Ukrainian goods and services.
3. Deregulation and Improving the Business Environment
According to the Association’s survey, 71% of CEOs consider the current business climate unfavourable. Improving it should therefore become one of the new Government’s priorities. This requires continued deregulation, reviewing outdated and excessive regulatory requirements, further digitalising public services to reduce discretionary decision-making, and simplifying licensing, tax, and customs procedures. At the same time, the efficiency of tax and customs authorities should be enhanced through simpler tax administration, timely VAT refunds, broader implementation of risk-based controls, and reduced administrative burden for compliant businesses. Regulatory policy should foster entrepreneurship, strengthen the competitiveness of the Ukrainian economy, and encourage investment.
4. Combating the Shadow Economy and Ensuring a Level Playing Field
Addressing the shadow economy remains a consistent priority for responsible businesses. Reducing illegal trade, smuggling, tax evasion schemes, and abuses of the simplified taxation system will contribute to fairer tax distribution, higher budget revenues, and equal competitive conditions.
5. Preserving Human Capital and Establishing a Predictable Employee Reservation System
Labour shortages remain one of the most significant challenges for companies. Government policy should therefore focus on preserving Ukraine’s professional workforce, encouraging the return of Ukrainians, supporting professional education and reskilling, facilitating veterans’ employment, and developing a modern labour market. The system for recognising critically important enterprises and reserving employees from mobilisation should be transparent, stable, digitalised, and predictable, ensuring a proper balance between national defence needs and the uninterrupted functioning of the economy.
6. Expanding War Risk Insurance and Access to Finance
Existing government compensation and insurance premium support programmes are an important step forward but should become accessible to a broader range of companies. Ukraine should further expand war and political risk insurance mechanisms, engage international financial institutions, increase access to financing, and develop dedicated financial instruments for businesses operating in high-risk regions.
7. Supporting Businesses in Frontline Regions
Companies operating near the frontline continue to preserve jobs, provide essential goods and services, and sustain local budgets despite extraordinary risks. Maintaining economic activity in these regions requires dedicated tax, regulatory, and financial support measures, broader access to grants and concessional financing, compensation for security and autonomous energy supply costs, improved employee reservation mechanisms, and accelerated humanitarian demining.
8. Creating Conditions for Investment and Private Sector Participation in Recovery
Ukraine’s recovery must be based on the systematic involvement of private capital. This requires transparent participation rules for reconstruction projects that eliminate corruption risks, high-quality investment project preparation, expanded public-private partnerships, and clear risk-sharing mechanisms. Particular attention should be given to rebuilding critical, transport, and energy infrastructure, protecting energy facilities, developing decentralised power generation, and ensuring reliable energy supply for businesses.
9. Advancing Judicial Reform and Strengthening the Rule of Law
An independent, professional, and effective judiciary remains one of the key prerequisites for protecting investment and restoring confidence in Ukraine. Business expects the continuation of judicial reform, transparent judicial appointments, proper enforcement of court decisions, shorter case consideration periods, and effective protection of property rights.
10. Maintaining Regular and Meaningful Dialogue with Business
Decisions that significantly affect the economy should be preceded by meaningful consultations with the business community, proper regulatory impact assessments, and careful analysis of their practical implications. Continuous dialogue with businesses and business associations is essential for making policymaking more predictable and enabling companies to prepare for upcoming changes in a timely manner.
Anna Derevyanko
Executive Director of the European Business Association
From the business community’s perspective, the success of the new Government will largely depend on its ability to deliver tangible progress across these priorities. Leading the Government during wartime requires balanced, predictable, and effective decision-making, and this is exactly what we sincerely wish the new Cabinet of Ministers. The EBA is committed to active and constructive cooperation. One of the immediate priorities is preparing for the coming winter, and businesses stand ready to contribute to helping the country get through it more smoothly than the previous one. We are equally prepared to support the Government in advancing economic, European integration, and other key reforms.
The European Business Association remains committed to being a reliable partner to the Government by providing expertise and contributing to policies that support economic development, improve the business environment, and advance Ukraine’s successful path towards European Union membership.
