The European Business Association joined the Advisory Council meeting of the IFC Financial Inclusion Project

05/ 03/ 2026

The European Business Association participated in a meeting of the Advisory Council of the International Finance Corporation project “Ukraine Financial Inclusion Program Phase II: Financial Services for Ukraine Recovery.” Viktoriia Burdeina, Lead of the Banking and Financial Policy at the Association, and Anton Tiutiun, Chair of the Association’s Electronic Payments Committee, took part in the discussion. During the meeting, participants discussed the current state of the financial sector, the development of digital finance, the implementation of Supply Chain Finance (SCF) instruments, factoring, as well as the creation of a National Asset-Based Financing Platform and the introduction of electronic invoicing. Representatives of the Association emphasised that for businesses today, the predictability of the regulatory environment, the speed of financial decision-making, and the development of digital infrastructure remain key priorities. In particular, the systematic implementation of SCF and electronic invoicing could significantly expand SMEs’ access to liquidity and reduce the cost of financing. Special attention was also paid to the importance of integrating the social dimension of financial inclusion. In the course of implementing the Project, it would be advisable to include measures aimed at the reintegration of veterans and improving access to financial products for them — not only as entrepreneurs but primarily as individuals. At the same time, access to financial services should be ensured systematically, taking into account the needs not only of veterans but also of people with disabilities. “Business is interested not only in access to credit but also in building modern financial infrastructure that enables the financing of real trade transactions. We are grateful to the IFC for its consistent support of business community initiatives and for maintaining an open dialogue within the Project. Business participation in implementing such solutions is key to their effectiveness and scalability,” noted Anton Tiutiun. The European Business Association expresses its gratitude to the IFC for supporting joint initiatives, including the “Finance for Business in Wartime” conferences, and confirms its readiness to continue contributing to the development and testing of instruments aimed at expanding businesses’ access to finance and supporting Ukraine’s economic recovery.

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During the meeting, participants discussed the current state of the financial sector, the development of digital finance, the implementation of Supply Chain Finance (SCF) instruments, factoring, as well as the creation of a National Asset-Based Financing Platform and the introduction of electronic invoicing.

Representatives of the Association emphasised that for businesses today, the predictability of the regulatory environment, the speed of financial decision-making, and the development of digital infrastructure remain key priorities. In particular, the systematic implementation of SCF and electronic invoicing could significantly expand SMEs’ access to liquidity and reduce the cost of financing.

Special attention was also paid to the importance of integrating the social dimension of financial inclusion. In the course of implementing the Project, it would be advisable to include measures aimed at the reintegration of veterans and improving access to financial products for them — not only as entrepreneurs but primarily as individuals. At the same time, access to financial services should be ensured systematically, taking into account the needs not only of veterans but also of people with disabilities.

“Business is interested not only in access to credit but also in building modern financial infrastructure that enables the financing of real trade transactions. We are grateful to the IFC for its consistent support of business community initiatives and for maintaining an open dialogue within the Project. Business participation in implementing such solutions is key to their effectiveness and scalability,” noted Anton Tiutiun.

The European Business Association expresses its gratitude to the IFC for supporting joint initiatives, including the “Finance for Business in Wartime” conferences, and confirms its readiness to continue contributing to the development and testing of instruments aimed at expanding businesses’ access to finance and supporting Ukraine’s economic recovery.