Ukraine Rebuilds: A conversation with the World Bank on reconstruction and private sector engagement

This morning, NUCC supported Norad in hosting a highly relevant seminar on Ukraine’s reconstruction and the role of the private sector.

With war still casting uncertainty over Ukraine’s future, the country is actively rebuilding and preparing for EU membership. The seminar brought together key stakeholders from government, business, and international institutions to explore how Ukraine can rebuild sustainably - with a strong role for the private sector. The event was moderated by Jorun Nossum, Director of the Nansen Program at Norad.

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📍 The event featured powerful insights from:

• Bob Saum, Regional Country Director for Eastern Europe, World Bank
• Sevara Melibaeva, Program Leader, Infrastructure & Planet, World Bank
• Jan Van Bilsen, Country Manager, Nordics, Germany & Switzerland, IFC
• Oleksiy Gavrysh, Ukraine’s Ambassador to Norway
• Maksym Karpash, Vice-Rector for International Affairs, King Danylo University (Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine)
• Vegard Wennesland, State Secretary, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries
• And voices from the Norwegian private sector: Fenix Repower, Tschudi Shipping Company, and NHO

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📊 The World Bank and IFC presented impressive figures:

• Over 5 million vaccine doses delivered, around 6 million people received primary health care; 0.5 million accessed mental health services
• 40,000 farmers supported, and $2.6 bn leveraged for agriculture (2023–2024)
• Restoration of in-person learning for 18,000+ students and improved conditions for over 600,000
• IFC’s $680 million support to trade logistics and $500+ million in finance to support SMEs and mid-corporates during the invasion
• $218 million to modernise Ukraine’s telecom infrastructure
• Investments in renewable energy, telecom, agribusiness, and waste-to-energy production
• Support for cross-sector recovery, EU accession reforms, and private sector-led job creation

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💬 Our Managing Director Kjartan Tveitnes delivered the closing remarks, highlighting the essential role of Norwegian businesses in Ukraine’s reconstruction and the opportunities for responsible and impactful engagement.

Thanks to Norad and all partners for this important conversation. Rebuilding Ukraine is not only a matter of recovery - but of shaping a resilient, modern economy for the future.

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