Anna Derevyanko presented Ukraine’s business environment and investment opportunities in Barcelona

30/ 10/ 2026

Anna Derevyanko, Executive Director of the European Business Association and GB4U CEO and Co-founder, took part in the conference “Catalonia and the Reconstruction of Ukraine: Commitment, Cooperation, Business”, organised by the Government of Catalonia and the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce, in cooperation with other organisations. During the discussion, Anna highlighted the resilience of Ukrainian companies, which continue to operate, adapt, and invest despite the extraordinary pressures of the war. According to the EBA’s 2027 business outlook, 98% of companies are factoring the continued war into their business plans. Meanwhile, 95% of EBA member companies report staff shortages, and 91% have employees serving in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Despite these challenges, 76% of member companies were operating at full capacity at the beginning of 2026, while 72% plan to continue investing in Ukraine. Anna also outlined promising areas for investment, including defence technology, energy, construction and infrastructure, as well as agri-food and IT. She encouraged Spanish and Catalan businesses not to wait until the war ends to explore the Ukrainian market, emphasising the importance of establishing partnerships with reliable local companies, assessing available financing and war-risk insurance mechanisms, and taking a long-term approach to cooperation. With Ukraine’s reconstruction needs estimated at more than €500 billion over the next decade, the country offers opportunities both to address urgent needs and to contribute to the development of a modern European economy.

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Anna Derevyanko, Executive Director of the European Business Association and GB4U CEO and Co-founder, took part in the conference “Catalonia and the Reconstruction of Ukraine: Commitment, Cooperation, Business”, organised by the Government of Catalonia and the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce, in cooperation with other organisations.

During the discussion, Anna highlighted the resilience of Ukrainian companies, which continue to operate, adapt, and invest despite the extraordinary pressures of the war. According to the EBA’s 2027 business outlook, 98% of companies are factoring the continued war into their business plans. Meanwhile, 95% of EBA member companies report staff shortages, and 91% have employees serving in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Despite these challenges, 76% of member companies were operating at full capacity at the beginning of 2026, while 72% plan to continue investing in Ukraine.

Anna also outlined promising areas for investment, including defence technology, energy, construction and infrastructure, as well as agri-food and IT. She encouraged Spanish and Catalan businesses not to wait until the war ends to explore the Ukrainian market, emphasising the importance of establishing partnerships with reliable local companies, assessing available financing and war-risk insurance mechanisms, and taking a long-term approach to cooperation.

With Ukraine’s reconstruction needs estimated at more than €500 billion over the next decade, the country offers opportunities both to address urgent needs and to contribute to the development of a modern European economy.