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.