On February 27th, Piraeus Bank participated in a business event dedicated to Ukraine's economic recovery, Investing in Ukraine’s Reconstruction: Opportunities for Greek Businesses, held at the King George Hotel in Athens. Organized by the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, the Kyiv School of Economics, and the SEV Hellenic Federation of Enterprises, the forum provided Greek businesses with valuable insights into investment opportunities in Ukraine.

The event brought together over 150 attendees, including Greek business leaders, international investors, and government officials. Presentations by experts and representatives of companies operating in Ukraine offered a comprehensive analysis of the country’s economic landscape. Among the speakers was Mark McNamee, Co-Founder of the UBN Network, who delivered a thought-provoking presentation on the future of the Western order, U.S. policy towards Ukraine, and the trajectory of the war. He emphasized that Ukraine’s future will play a decisive role in shaping the Western world and highlighted significant investment opportunities in key sectors such as agriculture, energy, housing, transport, and defence.

Key insights from Yannis Kyriakopoulos, CEO of Piraeus Bank ICB in Ukraine, at the event

•    Resilience of Ukraine’s banking sector – The country’s banking system remains strong, with high capital adequacy, strong liquidity, and a healthy loan portfolio.
•    The critical role of International Financial Institutions (IFIs) – Ukraine’s reconstruction is expected to require at least $526 billion, excluding private sector investments. IFIs will be instrumental in supporting and facilitating this process.
•    Addressing misconceptions about corruption – Despite widespread concerns, Ukraine has made substantial progress in enhancing transparency. The resilience of the banking sector, backed by government-led reforms and law enforcement efforts, reflects this commitment.
•    Piraeus Bank’s support for investors – Both in Greece and Ukraine, Piraeus Bank is ready to assist businesses in navigating investment opportunities. Now is the time to prepare for what will be the largest reconstruction project since World War II.

The forum underscored the strong commitment of Greece’s business community, international investors, and policymakers to support Ukraine’s recovery and secure its place in the future of the Western world.