At the outset of the forum, the participants paid tribute to the memory of Ukrainians who perished as a result of Russian aggression and underscored that the conflict has been ongoing for 1022 days.
The forum addressed critical matters pertaining to restoration and strategic collaboration between Ukraine and Germany. This took place over the course of two panel discussions, during which experts and government officials concentrated on pivotal topics, namely energy security, defense cooperation, and innovative approaches in these areas.
The initial discussion was centered on the topic “The Ukrainian Energy System: Current Needs and Strategic Development”, while the second panel was focused on the topic: “Innovations in Defense: German-Ukrainian Joint Efforts for Security and Stability”.
Christian Bruch, Deputy Chairman of the German Eastern Business Association, presented an overview of the key topics on the forum’s agenda, with a particular focus on the significance of the defense industry and the energy sector. Christian Bruch also highlighted Germany’s active role in supporting Ukraine’s recovery, referencing the international conference on recovery that took place in Berlin this past summer. Six months after the event, six working groups were established.
The VII German-Ukrainian Business Forum was attended by Vyacheslav Petrashenko, Senior Lawyer at BDO in Ukraine, who shared his thoughts:
“The forum left a vivid and positive impression. It was an excellent platform for exchanging proposals and making decisions that will allow us to move forward despite all the difficulties. The main message of the speakers’ speeches is that German companies are actively interested in supplying goods to Ukraine, from generators to tools for repairing energy infrastructure. Missile attacks on energy infrastructure necessitate the production of equipment that would prove its effectiveness not only in peacetime but also in martial law. German companies are also interested in investing in the high-tech defense industry, particularly, in the production of drones. Currently, the certification for new weaponry has been greatly simplified, and the transition from a prototype product to its inclusion in the NATO weapons catalogue takes only a few months. Therefore, new markets are opening up for German entrepreneurs who invest in the production of high-tech weapons in Ukraine, not only in Ukraine but also in other countries, including the European countries that have begun to consider their own security and defense more”, noted Vyacheslav Petrashenko.
This important event was a significant step towards bolstering cooperation between the two countries, where security, infrastructure rehabilitation and investment attraction for remain key aspects for Ukraine’s further development.
BDO in Ukraine actively supports the initiatives aimed at restoring the country and developing international cooperation. Participation in the VII German-Ukrainian Business Forum was another step in our mission to promote sustainable economic development and integration of Ukrainian business into the European environment.
We offer a wide range of professional services to help Ukrainian companies adapt to modern challenges, attract investment and implement large-scale projects. The team of BDO in Ukraine will continue to do everything possible to support businesses in difficult conditions, facilitate their transformation and open up new growth opportunities.
