Moore’s Perspective on URC2026 | Insights for Business in Poland and Ukraine
Ukraine’s reconstruction is entering a new phase — one that extends well beyond rebuilding damaged infrastructure. Increasingly, the focus is shifting towards creating a modern, competitive economy built on investment readiness, strong institutions, effective corporate governance and long-term sustainable growth.
This transition was one of the defining messages of the Ukraine Recovery Conference 2026 (URC2026) in Gdańsk, which brought together governments, international financial institutions, businesses and professional communities to shape the next stage of Ukraine’s economic development.
Representatives from the international Moore network contributed to the professional dialogue at URC2026. Representing the Polish Chamber of Statutory Auditors, Piotr Witek, Managing Partner at Moore Polska and member of the National Council of Statutory Auditors, moderated a workshop on reconstruction financing and effective monitoring, governance and control systems for Ukraine’s recovery.
As international public and private investment grows, so do investor expectations of projects and the organisations behind them. Investors are looking beyond project economics to governance, financial controls, compliance and institutional accountability — making trust increasingly important in attracting long-term capital.
Against this backdrop, Moore Polska and Moore Kyiv, Ukraine offer a joint perspective on how expectations of businesses, investors and institutions are evolving — and how organisations can prepare for Ukraine’s next phase of recovery.
From the Recovery Economy to the Long-Term Investment Economy
The logic of Ukraine’s reconstruction has evolved significantly.
During the first years of the full-scale war, the priority was resilience and business continuity. Today, attention is increasingly shifting towards attracting long-term capital, strengthening institutions and creating the conditions for sustainable economic growth.
As Alexander Yakovlev, Managing Partner at Moore Kyiv, Ukraine, says: “In my opinion, the next stage of Ukraine’s recovery will be defined not only by the resilience businesses have already demonstrated, but increasingly by their ability to attract long-term capital and grow within a new economic reality. The key factor now is their readiness to operate according to the standards expected by international investors, financial institutions and European markets.”
This transformation is already evident in the expectations of international businesses. According to Piotr Witek, conversations with companies have shifted significantly over the past few years — from discussing Ukraine’s market potential to addressing the practical realities of project implementation.
“If in 2022–2023 discussions focused primarily on solidarity with Ukraine and the long-term potential of its market, today companies are asking much more practical questions. They want to understand project pipelines, procurement procedures, risk-sharing mechanisms, financing structures and, most importantly, how projects can be implemented successfully and responsibly. The central question is no longer ‘Why Ukraine?’ but rather ‘How can projects be delivered effectively and sustainably?”
At the same time, the criteria investors use to assess opportunities are also evolving.
As Piotr Witek emphasizes: “Corporate governance and compliance have become strategic priorities. Polish and international businesses increasingly expect transparency, effective internal control systems, anti-corruption safeguards, ESG alignment and clear regulatory frameworks before making investment or partnership decisions. Strong governance reduces investment risk, facilitates foreign direct investment and ultimately lowers the cost of capital.”
Ultimately, Ukraine’s reconstruction is reshaping expectations of business itself: successful project delivery must now go hand in hand with strong governance and long-term accountability.
What Does Investment Readiness Mean in Practice?
Investment readiness was once largely associated with promising projects and available financing. Today, it also means an organisation’s ability to meet international governance and compliance standards, manage risk effectively and deliver projects transparently.
Preparation begins long before a project is launched. It involves clear governance and responsibilities, effective risk management and controls, and multidisciplinary teams capable of meeting the expectations of international investors and financial institutions.
As economic cooperation between Ukraine and the European Union continues to deepen, Poland is increasingly becoming the natural gateway for companies preparing to enter the Ukrainian market. Many organisations use Poland as a base for structuring investments, developing partnerships and engaging with European financial institutions before entering Ukraine.
In this environment, close cooperation between Moore Polska and Moore Kyiv, Ukraine enables clients to combine European regulatory expertise with in-depth knowledge of Ukraine’s legal, tax, financial and business environment. Together, the two firms help businesses bridge regulatory, operational and commercial expectations across Poland, Ukraine and the wider European Union.
According to Piotr Witek: “Today, cross-border advisory extends far beyond providing recommendations. Businesses require practical support throughout the entire investment process — from structuring projects and navigating regulatory requirements to coordinating implementation across multiple jurisdictions.”
As a result, investors increasingly need multidisciplinary advisory teams capable of integrating governance, financial assurance, regulatory compliance, transaction advisory and practical project implementation into a single coordinated approach.
Building Trust Through the Right Expertise
However, even the most carefully designed investment model cannot, on its own, guarantee project success.
As Alexander Yakovlev explains: “In my experience, successful projects begin with assembling a multidisciplinary advisory team — legal, financial and tax — capable of speaking the same language as international investors, selecting specialists who understand and represent the investor’s interests, and establishing effective communication among all project participants from the outset.”
At the same time, investment readiness requires more than strong advisory support. Independent verification of financial and governance practices is becoming increasingly important, making audit and assurance a critical part of building investor confidence.
A New Investment Reality: What Will Determine Business Success?
As Ukraine moves towards a long-term investment model, the drivers of business success are also changing. Resilience and adaptability remain important, but investors are increasingly looking for strong governance, effective risk management and long-term strategic commitment.
As Piotr Witek notes: “The companies that will succeed in Ukraine’s next stage of development will be those that view the country as a long-term investment destination rather than a short-term opportunity. Organisations prepared to build local partnerships, invest in developing local expertise and establish a sustainable operational presence aligned with Ukraine’s long-term economic transformation will be best positioned to create lasting value.”
Ultimately, Ukraine’s recovery is no longer solely about rebuilding physical infrastructure. It is equally about strengthening institutions, modernising governance and creating an investment environment founded on trust, accountability and international best practice.
Investment as a Driver of Long-Term Transformation
Ukraine’s reconstruction represents an opportunity to build a more competitive, resilient and internationally integrated economy. Investment is becoming not merely a source of financing, but a catalyst for technological advancement, institutional reform, higher corporate standards and deeper integration into European and global value chains.
As Alexander Yakovlev observes: “When investment capital enters a country, it brings far more than financial resources. It introduces innovation, technology, international corporate standards and access to global value chains. These factors create the conditions for modernising entire sectors of the economy and strengthening their long-term competitiveness.”
For this reason, the next phase of Ukraine’s recovery will be defined not only by the amount of capital mobilised, but by the readiness of businesses, investors and institutions to operate within a new investment ecosystem — one built on transparency, sound governance, effective control systems and long-term accountability.
Moore: Supporting Cross-Border Investment Between Ukraine, Poland and the European Union
As Ukraine’s recovery progresses, economic cooperation between Ukraine, Poland and the European Union is becoming increasingly interconnected. This creates significant opportunities for businesses and investors, while also raising expectations around governance, compliance and project implementation.
Against this backdrop, the collaboration between Moore Polska and Moore Kyiv, Ukraine combines local market knowledge, international expertise and practical cross-border experience. Drawing on complementary expertise in both jurisdictions and the capabilities of the Moore Global network, the two firms support clients throughout the entire investment cycle — from investment readiness and transaction support to project implementation and long-term growth.
As Ukraine enters a new stage of economic development, investor confidence will increasingly depend on strong governance, transparency and effective execution, making trust a strategic asset in this new investment reality.
What This Means for Business
In Ukraine’s next phase of recovery, identifying opportunities will not be enough. Long-term success will increasingly depend on building trust, strong governance and alignment with international standards.
For businesses considering expansion into Ukraine or participation in reconstruction projects, preparation should begin well before investment decisions are made. Strong governance, effective controls, reliable partnerships and regulatory readiness will help organisations meet investor expectations and deliver complex cross-border projects.
For investors and financial institutions, strong governance and controls will remain critical to assessing opportunities and managing risk. Reconstruction financing requires not only capital, but confidence that resources will be managed responsibly and effectively.
As Ukraine moves from recovery towards sustainable economic transformation, the organisations best prepared for this new reality will recognise a fundamental shift: trust, governance and accountability are no longer simply requirements for doing business — they are becoming the foundations of competitive advantage.
