The U.S. Chamber of Commerce launched a new program to help Ukraine recover and rebuild after the war with Russia is won.
The Chamber’s Ukraine Business Initiative is a platform that allows companies to engage with senior American and Ukrainian policymakers to help Ukraine rebuild post-war. The initiative was announced at the recent U.S.-Ukraine Partnership Forum hosted by the Chamber.
Among those in attendance at the forum were U.S. Chamber President and CEO Suzanne Clark, Prime Minister of Ukraine H.E. Denys Shmyhal, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, USAID Administrator Samantha Power, Under Secretary of State Victoria Nuland, and Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, via a letter. In addition, senior representatives from major American companies were in attendance.
“We are deeply concerned about the tremendous devastation and human suffering Ukraine is facing because of Russia’s illegal invasion,” Marjorie Chorlins, senior vice president for Europe at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, said. “We stand with Ukrainians and admire their courage as they fight for their country, their freedom, and their future. Ukraine needs our support today as they fight this battle, and they need our support to secure a peaceful and prosperous future.”
The Ukraine Business Initiative will help prominent businesses from various sectors assess the risks and opportunities in Ukraine, communicate the requisite conditions for companies to begin commercial operations in Ukraine, and promote a transparent, competitive environment in which companies enjoy equal access to projects.
“As Ukraine readies itself for the biggest reconstruction since World War II, the country will need help from international partners and the U.S. business community,” Chorlins said. “Public and private sector investments will go hand in hand with reforms that will revitalize both Ukraine’s economic and democratic vibrancy—and getting this process right is in America’s national interest and in the interest of all players globally who share a commitment to democracy, free enterprise, and the rule of law.”
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has a successful track record of forging public-private partnerships to help tackle some of the world’s most pressing problems. The private sector can bring expertise, resources, and innovation to the table, while governments can provide a framework for coordination and policy implementation.