At this year’s Kyiv International Economic Forum, Igor Liski, founder of the investment company EFI Group, moderated the discussion panel “Global Capital for Ukrainian Business.”
Speakers discussed openly what attracts investors, what holds them back, and how Ukraine can become a story of global success. Igor Liski emphasized the importance of the investment topic, noting that rebuilding the country requires substantial financial resources.
“Without a strong economy, Ukraine cannot build strong security and defense.
Investments must lie at the heart of any economic strategy because without them, there can be no development, and the country of our dreams will never emerge. At EFI Group, we’ve spent over 20 years building a new industrial wave in Ukraine. Today, it’s crucial to talk about a new philosophy of development, why Ukraine is attractive to investors, why it’s worth investing, and how to find the courage to do it now. It’s equally important to understand which projects are of interest to international financial institutions and how to make your own project investment-attractive. I’m convinced that international players should join Ukrainian entrepreneurs who are already leading by example and showing they are not afraid to invest in Ukraine, said Igor Liski.
The panel brought together leaders who make decisions shaping the economic future of Ukraine every day:
Edward Mermelstein, former New York Commissioner for International Affairs, lawyer and strategist, who is now creating a $500 million fund for Ukraine’s reconstruction;
Iryna Kravchenko, Deputy Head of the EBRD in Ukraine, an institution that has already invested over €8.5 billion in the country’s economy;
Danylo Hetmantsev, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Finance, Tax and Customs Policy;
Teymur Taghiyev, Chief of Staff at NEQSOL Holding, which has invested around $1 billion in Ukrainian projects, including Vodafone Ukraine;
Vasyl Danyliak, CEO of OKKO Group, which continues to expand into new energy sectors and is building an all-season resort worth over $1.5 billion, even during wartime;
Olena Voloshyna, Head of the IFC Office in Ukraine, who helps Ukrainian businesses attract financing even in the most difficult times.
As the moderator summarized:
We all agreed on one thing: capital flows where there is trust, clear rules, and people ready to take responsibility. Ukraine can and must become such a magnet for global capital. This is not only about investments, it’s about a new development philosophy where business, government, and international partners act as one team, shared Igor Liski, founder of EFI Group.
EFI Group extends sincere gratitude to all participants for a deep, honest discussion — and for continuing to invest in the future of Ukraine.
Today, Igor Liski, founder of EFI Group, received his vaccination from his family doctor at the “Medychna Zirka” medical network. Simple, quick, and according to plan, just as it should be when you care about yourself and your loved ones.
“We often talk about investments in business, technology, and education. But the most valuable investment is in your own health. Without it, everything else is impossible to achieve. I urge everyone: make time and get vaccinated. It’s a responsibility not only to yourself but also to the people around you,” shared Igor Liski.
We encourage you to take care of your health, and you can start by signing a declaration with a family doctor from the ‘Medychna Zirka’ or ‘My Doctor’ medical networks.
How to take care of your team’s health?
The Medychna Zirka and My Doctor networks offer corporate medical services for companies:
🔵 Corporate Doctor service — unlimited consultations, either online or at your workplace.
🔵 On-site vaccination for your team directly at the company premises.
🔵 Medical check-ups in compliance with the Ministry of Health’s requirements (initial, periodic, psychiatric, preventive).
🔵 Telemedicine — video, chat, or phone consultations with doctors.
🔵 Check-up programs — preventive screenings to detect health risks early.
🔵 Health analytics and reporting for your team (without personal data).
All services can be tailored to your company’s size and needs — from small businesses to large enterprises.
For corporate inquiries, please contact: [email protected]
On October 16, the 11th Kyiv International Economic Forum will take place, featuring a panel discussion titled “Global Capital for Ukrainian Business.”
Global competition for investment is intensifying — only large-scale and well-prepared projects receive substantial funding. In Ukraine, however, war-related risks, a shortage of long-term financial resources, and a lack of truly bankable ideas continue to limit the inflow of private capital, despite the active involvement of international financial institutions (IFIs).
The discussion will focus on what requirements IFIs set for businesses, how to structure deals while managing risks, and which sectors are currently seeing the most investment activity. Case studies of Ukrainian companies that have already attracted international capital will also be presented.
Moderator: Igor Liski, Founder of the investment company EFI Group.
Speakers:
Edward Mermelstein, Commissioner for International Affairs, City of New York (2022–2025)
Danylo Hetmantsev, Chairman of the Finance, Tax, and Customs Policy Committee of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine
Iryna Kravchenko, Deputy Head of the EBRD in Ukraine
Teymur Taghiyev, Chief of Staff, NEQSOL Holding
Vasyl Danylyak, CEO, OKKO Group
Join the discussion on how Ukrainian business can gain access to global capital.
👉 Registration is open: https://forumkyiv.org/uk
The workshop Building Back Better: Opportunities in Ukraine’s Construction Sector was organized by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private sector arm of the World Bank Group (WBG), with support from the Ministry of Finance of Austria. The workshop took place in Vienna, bringing together representatives of government, international financial institutions, business leaders, and investors to discuss financing and reforms for Ukraine’s reconstruction.
This workshop was organized to help Austrian and European businesses discover promising investment prospects in Ukraine’s construction materials, affordable housing, commercial and industrial real estate sectors. It aimed to deliver practical guidance, foster meaningful connections, and demonstrate how Austrian and European know-how can significantly contribute to Ukraine’s sustainable recovery and alignment with EU standards, with support from the World Bank Group in identifying opportunities and mitigating investment risks.
A key session of the event focused on the development of Ukraine’s construction materials industry, seen as a foundation of the country’s recovery and long-term economic growth. The discussion was moderated by Tarek Helmi, Partner and Global Leader for Low-Carbon Solutions at Deloitte.
Panel participants included:
The session explored opportunities and challenges for Ukraine’s industrial recovery, addressing:
The founder of EFI Group shared his vision for modernizing Ukraine’s industrial sector, highlighting the crucial role of private investment in reconstruction. Speaking on the panel, Igor Liski emphasized the importance of investments for Ukraine’s economic recovery and shared EFI Group’s experience in creating large Greenfield projects.
“Ukraine has the opportunity to rebuild damaged infrastructure and to create a modern industrial ecosystem that meets European standards. Investment in industrial facilities can drive long-term growth and make our economy more resilient. This is a joint effort of Ukrainian business, the government, and international partners. The NovaSklo project, the first modern float glass plant in Ukraine, will be a cornerstone of this transformation, supplying the construction sector with a strategic material, reducing import dependence, and introducing new technological and environmental standards,” said Igor Liski.
The discussion also underscored that NovaSklo, with planned investment of €240 million, is expected to meet up to 50% of Ukraine’s domestic glass demand, reduce reliance on imports, and create around 300 jobs in the Kyiv region. The project will incorporate advanced technologies to reduce emissions and use alternative fuels, significantly lowering the carbon footprint of production.
EFI Group’s participation alongside leading global industrial players and international financial institutions underscores the strategic role of Ukraine’s private sector in rebuilding the country and strengthens investor confidence in the future of Ukrainian industry.
The first Forbes Ukraine Health Conference will take place on October 10 in Kyiv.
This event will bring together leaders of the pharmaceutical market, private clinics, laboratories, HealthTech startups, investors, and government representatives.
Forbes Health will focus on the most relevant topics:
Investment and the future of healthcare in Ukraine
Innovations: from eHealth systems to new business models
How the war is reshaping Ukrainian healthcare and what we can learn from Unbroken, Recovery, and Superhumans
Who built and developed modern medical centers?
The conference will feature insights from leading experts in the healthcare sector.
Among the speakers — Nataliia Bondarchuk, Executive Director of DOC.UA,
as well as:
• Dmytro Spitsyn, CEO of Teva Ukraine
• Pavlo Kovtoniuk, Co-founder of the Ukrainian Healthcare Center
• Petro Chornomorets, Biologist
• Samvel Akobyan, Co-founder & CEO of lilo, Co-founder of Helsi
• Mykola Skavronskyi, CEO of Synevo
• Andrii Vilenskyi, Medical Director of Superhumans Center
• Iryna Zaslavets, Head of the UNBROKEN project
• Yana Romanenko, HR Director at Nibulon
• Svitlana Hrytsenko, Head of the Recovery Network, and others.
💡 Use the promo code DOC.UA10 to get a 10% discount on a Business category ticket.
🎟️ Tickets are available via the link in the comments.
We look forward to seeing you at the event!
NovaSklo signed an agreement with Pilkington Technology Management Limited (NSG Group), the global leader in glass manufacturing technologies. Under the agreement, NSG will provide engineering support for the construction of a float glass production line in the Kyiv region.
“I am delighted to welcome a partner with more than a century of experience in glass manufacturing technology. With Ukraine’s largest reconstruction project now underway, it is crucial for us to involve the best international expertise. I am confident that this cooperation will ensure the technological excellence of our production and help drive the growth of the construction industry across the country,” shared Igor Liski, Founder of NovaSklo and investment company EFI Group.
The NSG Group engineers will provide technical expertise upon request of the project team at all stages of design, construction, and launch of the NovaSklo float glass plant. The company will become the first high-tech enterprise of this scale in Ukraine, developed in accordance with the highest standards of energy efficiency, safety, and sustainability. In particular, NSG experts, together with the Ukrainian project team, have already worked on the project`s master plan, taking into consideration the requirements and standards of the international strategic players. Furthermore, the project team will seek consultation on technology and equipment optimization, energy efficiency, and safety systems implementation, and integration of modern ESG standards, including occupational safety, logistics safety, CO₂ footprint control, comprehensive risk assessment, and advanced energy management systems.
“Our agreement is a great example of support from the global industry for the technological development of Ukrainian enterprises. It is important for us to share expertise, help implement the best technological solutions, and provide all necessary consultations for the operation of such a large-scale enterprise,” Leopoldo Castiella, Head of Architectural Glass NSG Group.
The NovaSklo plant will become one of the key enterprises of the new wave of Ukrainian industrialization. Its launch will establish local glass production, reduce import dependence, and stimulate the development of the country’s construction industry by adopting the new quality standards. In addition, the plant will implement an ESG-oriented production model in accordance with international standards. The enterprise will create more than 300 jobs and strengthen the development of small and medium-sized businesses in the region.
Information:
NSG Group (Nippon Sheet Glass Co., Ltd., and its group companies, which includes Pilkington Technology Management Limited) is the world’s leading supplier of glass and glazing systems in the business areas of Architectural, Automotive and Creative Technology. Today, the Group has principal operations around the world and sales in over 100 countries. For more information about NSG Group visit: www.nsg.com
NovaSklo is a Ukrainian company implementing the project to create Ukraine’s first high-tech float glass manufacturing plant in the Kyiv region. The project is developed by an investment and industrial company EFI Group, and implemented in partnership with leading European float glass equipment manufacturers. For more information about NovaSklo visit novasklo.com
What challenges and opportunities define Ukraine’s path through the next stage of war, recovery, and global change? This was the focus of the “Nova Krayina: Current Challenges” panel discussion organized by LB.ua in partnership with EFI Group.
The conversation brought together leading voices in politics, business, and analytics to discuss the key questions of security, strategy, and national resilience.
🟢 Olha Stefanishyna, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, drew attention to the dangerous trend of Russia’s gradual legitimization in international media and diplomacy.
🔵 Oleksandr Korniyenko, First Deputy Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada, emphasized that the attack on the Cabinet of Ministers once again underscored the threats to decision-making centers and the country’s institutional stability.
🟡 Illia Pavlenko, political expert, outlined two possible scenarios for Ukraine’s development: a continuation of the “hot” phase of the war or a strategic focus on security, reconstruction, and long-term growth.
🔵 Oleksiy Antypovych, Head of the “Rating” sociological group, presented fresh public opinion data, showing that Ukrainians support the search for compromises but reject the idea of “peace at any cost.”
🟢 Ihor Liski, founder of EFI Group, stressed that both business and society need a clear vision of victory — one that should be demanded from the government and international partners:
“We are still holding on… but it can’t last forever. If we see that the war might be endless — then show us what exactly we are fighting for.”
The discussion concluded with a shared understanding: the future of Ukraine is not only about challenges but also about shared responsibility — a responsibility to be carried together by the state, business, international allies, and citizens.
Olha Batova, CEO of EFI Group, moderated a discussion on the CEO Club podcast about the international expansion of Ukrainian manufacturers.
Together with Yuriy Sorochynskyi, CEO of Nemiroff, and Valentyn Zaporozhchuk, founder and president of PRAVIO Group, the speakers discussed what it takes for Ukrainian businesses to go global:
why a strong position in the local market is a prerequisite for export;
how the first export attempts looked for their companies;
why businesses need international experts;
models of cooperation with distributors and partners abroad;
the role of trade fairs and networking in entering new markets;
bureaucracy, regulations, and cultural differences;
adapting products to local conditions;
how Made in Ukraine is perceived worldwide today;
competing with global players;
common mistakes in international expansion.
It was an open conversation about the barriers and opportunities Ukrainian businesses face on the global stage.
🎧 Listen to the new episode of the CEO Club podcast.
We are excited to share wonderful news! EFI-Agro has received an honorary award from Retail Group for many years of cooperation and reliable partnership. The holding includes well-known retail chains such as Velika Kyshenya, VELMART, and others.
This award is a recognition of our consistency, responsibility, and high standards of work. For us, partnership means much more than product supply. We build long-term relationships based on trust and stability, offering predictability and a service that exceeds expectations. The products delivered by EFI-Agro always meet the highest quality standards. At every stage, we bring expertise — from logistics to in-depth category analytics.
We are grateful to Retail Group for their trust and proud to be part of our shared growth. Ahead of us lie even more effective solutions and confident steps forward!
Global glass industry leaders unite to deliver Ukraine’s largest float glass production project
Rome, 10 July, 2025
Ukrainian project NovaSklo and three leading European glass equipment manufacturers: Horn Glass Industries AG (Germany), Zippe Industrieanlagen GmbH (Germany), and Bottero S.p.A. (Italy) signed a cooperation agreement during the Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC) 2025 in Rome.
The agreement establishes the foundation for the strategic partnership within the NovaSklo Project framework. The partners will collaborate on engineering, project management, and equipment supply preparation for NovaSklo, Ukraine’s first high-tech float glass manufacturing plant. The project attracts over €240 million in investment and is implemented at the initiative of the investment company EFI Group with support from UkraineInvest and Ukraine’s Ministry of Economy. The glass manufacturing plant is planned to be built in the Kyiv region by 2028.
“Ukraine’s recovery must be based on modern industry and partnerships that bring technologies, experience, and mutual growth. I am convinced that NovaSklo will become the foundation for the sustainable development of Ukraine’s construction industry. Our comprehensive strategic partnership is an excellent example that investing in Ukraine is needed right now,” shared Igor Liski, CEO of NovaSklo and founder of EFI Group.
NovaSklo serves as the project’s lead developer and is responsible for coordinating all phases and integrating partners’ contributions into the plant’s development strategy. Horn Glass Industries, Bottero, and Zippe have already begun providing engineering and project services, including technical design, equipment configuration, and engineering expertise in their respective areas.
“We are proud to participate in this innovative project. NovaSklo Project meets our standards of innovation and quality, and we are ready to contribute our experience in creating the most efficient float glass production solutions,” stated Stephan Meindl, CEO of Horn Glass Industries.
The NovaSklo project will become the epicenter of transformation for related industries and strengthen Ukraine’s industrial development. The plant will reduce dependence on float glass imports and create a foundation for exporting high-quality products. The facility’s production capacity will amount to 24.8 million square meters of glass per year. The plant will utilize its deposit of quartz sand, which has the highest quality indicators in the country, specifically for the production of ultra-clear structural float glass. The team has already secured the land plot for the facility and signed an agreement with the general design contractor.
“With 60 years of experience across all glass industry sectors and a unique specialization in production process automation make us a reliable partner. I am confident that our expertise will help create a world-class plant that will become a catalyst for the development of the entire glass industry in the region,” noted Alberto Masoero, Executive Director Sales, Marketing & After Sales – Flat Glass Bottero.
This multilateral agreement provides for technical consulting, engineering support, and equipment configuration development during the plant’s planning and design phases. Final terms for equipment and technology supply will be outlined in separate commercial agreements.
“As a global leader in equipment manufacturing for batch and cullet processing with over 100 years of experience, we see NovaSklo as an ideal opportunity to demonstrate our automation expertise. We have united into a professional team of partners to create one of the most efficient plants in Europe and continue developing our industry,” added Philipp Zippe, CEO of Zippe.
Olha Batova, CEO of the investment company EFI Group, also noted that the team has already secured a technical partnership agreement with a strategic partner, one of the world`s top three float glass manufacturers, and expects to sign the agreement in the near future.
Press сontacts: NovaSklo, Nadia Kravchenko, Email: [email protected], Phone: +38063 577 88 09
Information:
NovaSklo is a Ukrainian company implementing the project to create Ukraine’s first high-tech float glass manufacturing plant in Kyiv region. The project is supported by EFI Group and implemented in partnership with leading European float glass equipment manufacturers.
Horn Glass Industries AG is a German expert in glass melting technologies, supplying equipment for float glass, container glass, and specialty glass. The company stands out for its high level of vertical integration enabling it to offer comprehensive solutions from individual components to turnkey plants.
Zippe Industrieanlagen GmbH is a leading global manufacturer of technologies and equipment for batch preparation and cullet processing for the glass industry. The company has over 100 years of experience in designing and implementing solutions for automation and energy efficiency in the glass production. Over 700 projects have been implemented worldwide, including partnerships with major glass manufacturers in Europe, Asia, America, and Africa.
Bottero S.p.A. is an Italian leader in manufacturing high-tech equipment for the glass industry, known for innovative solutions in automation and glass processing. The Italian company has been operating for over 60 years and is represented in more than 100 countries worldwide. The company is renowned for its innovative technologies, equipment reliability, and solution flexibility, allowing clients to optimize production processes and increase efficiency.