Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) has invested a record $2.5 billion in Ukraine.
This was announced by Olena Voloshyna, Head of IFC in Ukraine, during the annual event of the European Business Association Global Outlook: Strategic Momentum.
“We have invested a record amount of $2.5 billion during the years of the full-scale invasion. A significant share of these investments has gone to the financial sector. We are using an instrument called the Risk Sharing Facility. Today, this is a very popular tool for working with banks, because banks have sufficient liquidity — even more than they can deploy. The Risk Sharing Facility allows them to expand their client base,” Voloshyna emphasized.
She also noted: “We support export-import operations. You know that we actively support our clients. We pay particular attention to areas where our clients move from raw-material production to deeper processing. Our most recent investment in Astarta is exactly such an example — a very interesting one — because it will no longer be just soybean oil, but animal feed, which Europe is in great need of. And we would like to make more investments like this.”
“Our plans are also ambitious. We will continue to support Ukrainian business. One of the challenges we face is the lack of projects. We have limits, we have funds, we can invest and we want to invest, but there are still not enough projects. This has always been an issue in Ukraine. There have been several attempts to create Project Preparation Facilities. I believe the private sector can do this on its own… Or it can come to us, and we can do it together, co-financing project preparation,” Voloshyna stressed.
She added: “I strongly encourage everyone — if you have ideas, if someone wants to enter a new direction or further develop their business, come to us, we can help you with that as well… And now a bit of reflection… You know, I probably share this optimism too, but Ukrainians’ optimism is always very balanced. It is hard-earned, and that is why I believe this kind of optimism will lead us to victory, and our business will develop even better. Because if it lives, grows, launches new projects, and invests in other companies in such times, just imagine what will happen when we win.”
