The World Bank sees enormous opportunity in Ukraine: Subject to reforms, the private sector can finance approximately 33% of recovery.

There are a considerable number of opportunities in Ukraine despite the full-scale war, said Lisa Kaestner, a senior official of the International Finance Corporation of the World Bank Group, at the Kyiv International Economic Forum. She is sure that there are more difficult countries in the world to operate in than Ukraine.

“We did one project last year in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which is probably one of the most difficult markets in the world. But even there, we invested in a solar power plant project. So, I think there are opportunities everywhere,” Kaestner said.

“In the case of Ukraine, we see huge opportunities. We estimate that Ukraine’s reconstruction needs are approximately $500B. This figure is difficult even to fathom. But, according to our estimates, with the right reforms, the private sector will be able to meet this need by approximately 33%. Therefore, the opportunities in Ukraine are huge. Much better than in Congo,” she said.