On January 29, 2026, the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry held a regular meeting of the Council on Foreign Economic Activity, dedicated to current challenges and practical solutions in the energy sector under martial law. The central topic of discussion was "Foreign economic activity in the energy sector under martial law. Public-private partnership policy."
The meeting was opened by the President of the UCCI, Gennady Chizhikov, who in his opening remarks emphasized the critical role of international trade, effective interaction between the state and business, as well as the prompt import of energy equipment to ensure the stability of the national energy system. He stressed that the UCCI serves as a platform for professional dialogue and the development of practical solutions for business in conditions of military risk.
Serhiy Svistil, Chairman of the Council for Foreign Economic Activity, presented a comprehensive report on the key problems and opportunities for foreign economic activity in the energy sector. His speech focused on issues of customs and currency regulation, access to international assistance, and the need for predictable and transparent rules for importers of energy equipment.
Key agenda items
The state of the energy system and international support.
Emil Gasimov, representative of the Ministry of Energy of Ukraine, informed participants about the current state of the energy system, the main challenges of the heating and repair seasons, and mechanisms for attracting international assistance. Particular attention was paid to humanitarian aid for critical infrastructure facilities, the work of the Energy Support Fund, and the need for systematic information exchange between government agencies and the business community. Logistical difficulties, equipment delivery times, and ways to reduce them were discussed separately.
Customs privileges for the import of energy equipment.
Valery Malnov, a specialist from the State Customs Service of Ukraine, provided detailed explanations regarding the current exemptions from VAT and import duties on energy equipment. He emphasized the importance of prior consultation with customs authorities for the correct preparation of documents and logistics planning, which allows avoiding delays at the border.
Tender procurement and access for foreign suppliers.
The issue of energy equipment procurement was considered in light of the realities of war and limited budgets. DTEK representative Yevgen Marchenko noted that the key criterion for selecting contractors remains competitive pricing while complying with technical requirements, and that participation in tenders is also open to foreign companies. Experts from the state-owned enterprise PROZORRO were invited to the discussion and provided explanations regarding the procedures and opportunities for businesses to participate in public procurement.
Currency regulation.
Yuriy Kozlenko, representative of the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine, outlined approaches to extending the deadline for settlements in foreign economic transactions (180 days) for goods subject to preferential treatment. Participants emphasized the importance of flexible currency regulation for the stable operation of importers in the energy sector.
Local support programs.
Anatoliy Bagan, representative of the Kyiv City State Administration, presented the capital's business support programs, including a catalog of exporters, preferential lending instruments, and opportunities for companies operating in the critical infrastructure sector.
Insurance of military risks.
A separate section of the discussion was devoted to the practical aspects of war risk insurance with the participation of the insurance company SK INGO, with an emphasis on protecting imports of energy equipment.
Conclusions and next steps
Following the meeting, the participants agreed to prepare a joint appeal to the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. The document will be based on the issues and proposals raised by representatives of business and government authorities and will be aimed at improving the mechanisms for importing energy equipment, reducing administrative barriers, and strengthening Ukraine's energy security in the context of martial law.
