The level of the Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC) is rising. I have something to compare it with — I’ve attended the previous three conferences. In my observation, URC was previously more relevant to the Ukrainian diaspora, serving as a networking event. This year, for the first time, the number of foreign investors in attendance surpassed all others.

The URC in Rome was truly an economic event. The Ministry of Economy did tremendous work to ensure that, for the first time in history, Ukraine was heard loud and clear in the economic arena — not military or political, but economic, taking into account the country’s full range of economic interests.

Some Ukrainians believe that foreign investors should automatically want to pour hundreds of billions of dollars into Ukraine, and that international banks should be knocking on every Ukrainian office door, offering money just because we’re “good people.” That’s not how it works. No one will line up just to shower us with cash for nothing.

There is no fast track to large funding — investors need real projects. And as long as the war continues, it’s difficult for Ukraine to be an attractive investment destination. On top of that, we currently don’t have many large-scale projects — say, worth $1 billion. That’s something we need to build.

URC is an opportunity for Ukraine to demonstrate its capabilities. This year, investors and representatives of investment banks came to Rome from all over the world. They see post-war Ukraine as a source of growth for Europe and for global industries. It’s the job of Ukrainian business and government to explain why investing in Ukraine makes sense.

Those who attended previous URCs and brought real projects have already seen success. After the war ends, they’ll be among the first companies to receive international grants and investment to grow their initiatives.

The key sectors currently drawing the most interest from international investors are natural resource extraction, construction materials, agriculture, and logistics. But there’s also interest in biotechnology, manufacturing, and energy.

The question is — is Ukraine ready to accept foreign capital? Do we have enough businesses operating transparently, with audited reports and teams fluent in English? Unfortunately, such companies are still rare.

I’m truly encouraged to see projects from Ukraine’s “white” businesses at URC. Some secured all they hoped for, some less — but these companies represent the best of Ukrainian business. Investors will come to Ukraine through them, because of them. They are examples for others, who still have time to prepare.

No one knows whether international investors’ interest in Ukraine will remain as strong after the war. Will we still be able to bring together European policymakers and major global businesses who talk exclusively about Ukraine — ready to support us with words, funds, weapons, or business investment?

The $10 billion in contracts signed during the URC in Rome — for now, that’s not a huge sum. But it’s a start. New projects will be launched on that foundation, new jobs created, and taxes paid into the budget — helping Ukraine build resilience.

It is only business that brings money to the country. Developing a business-friendly environment in Ukraine is a matter of survival. The time of donations is coming to an end — everyone understands that. If we don’t grow our businesses, we’ll fall back to $50 salaries.

As a country, we must aim for a $1 trillion GDP. Only with that kind of economy can we sustainably fund 5% of GDP on defense — $50 billion to live, to resist, and to be taken seriously. The enemy will understand that too. To get there, we must listen to the people ready to grow businesses and rebuild the nation.

The war is the only thing currently holding foreign investors back. But it will end — and Ukrainian business must be ready to work with foreign capital.

Some believe URC is about finding money for bridges or roads. But that’s not what it’s about. URC is a platform where global investors come to hear about Ukraine’s economic future — and about the companies they may end up working with. They want to know what kind of future we envision.

I have three pieces of advice for Ukrainian entrepreneurs who want to attend URC and attract investment:
First, prepare your company for foreign investment — make it as transparent and reputable as possible.
Second, have a project — a clear investment proposal.
Third — just do it. Don’t be afraid to move forward. A rolling stone gathers no moss.

I want to see Ukraine not as a country of a million sole proprietors (FOPs), but as a country of a thousand corporations. Because only a developed business environment is the way to a $1 trillion GDP — and to Ukraine’s successful future.
URC is the launchpad for that future.