Kateryna Rybachenko: Business in Ukraine continues to invest during the war, thanks to the support of the government and partners

During the full-scale war, Ukrainian businesses need support and guarantees for further development. This was stated by Kateryna Rybachenko, a member of the supervisory board of Agro-Region and vice president of the Ukrainian Agribusiness Club (UCAB), during a panel discussion on investment at the #LFM24 conference — Effective Management of Agricultural Companies.

Kateryna Rybachenko noted that despite the challenges faced by Ukrainian businesses, companies, including Agro-Region, are not stopping and continue to invest in priority areas. The main investments are aimed at minimizing risks and increasing operational efficiency, as well as supporting the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

In particular, Agro-Region is actively investing in expanding its fleet of railcars and trucks, increasing the number of agricultural machinery, and launching energy independence and energy efficiency projects. These initiatives enable the company to make its processes more resilient and strengthen vertical integration.

“The times are indeed challenging, but it’s important to note that the government is taking significant steps to support businesses. The automatic VAT refund system is functioning smoothly, the 5-7-9% loan program remains available, and there’s a program offering up to 25% compensation for the purchase of Ukrainian machinery and equipment. These initiatives provide confidence and encourage businesses to continue working and investing,” she emphasized.

Kateryna Rybachenko also expressed gratitude to partners from the USAID project, without whom, she said, many important solutions would not have been implemented. Thanks to their support, issues related to logistics, product storage, and alternative energy sources were promptly addressed.

In addition to investing in core processes, Agro-Region continues to actively support the communities in which it operates. As Rybachenko highlighted, every 3-hectare plot represents a family from a village with its own needs.

The company not only pays taxes and creates new jobs but also provides ongoing support to mobilized employees and responds to the needs of communities by offering social support and assistance.