URC 2026: BGK to cooperate with Ukrainian development institutions

Joint implementation of investment projects, development of financial instruments, and support for Ukrainian institutions—these are the focus of two agreements that Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego (BGK) signed during this year’s Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC) in Gdańsk. BGK’s partners in efforts to rebuild and develop Ukraine’s SME sector will be the National Development Agency of Ukraine and Ukreximbank.

'Following the European Union’s lead, BGK is strengthening its cooperation with development institutions in Ukraine. This is another step toward building a strong partnership between the European Union, Poland, and Ukraine. We believe that this cooperation will contribute to greater economic stability in the region and create new development opportunities for businesses—both in Poland and in Ukraine. Together with EU institutions, we want to actively support Ukraine’s reconstruction process by developing joint financial instruments for businesses and institutions and strengthening our partners’ investment capabilities.'

Mirosław Czekaj, President of the Management Board of BGK

The agreement with the National Development Institution covers a wide range of joint activities, including partnerships in investment projects and infrastructure reconstruction, the development of financial instruments, and support for Ukrainian financial institutions. BGK and NDI will cooperate, among other things, on creating support programmes for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), exchanging knowledge and best practices, as well as implementing international initiatives and projects related to climate transition and ESG standards. The parties placed particular emphasis on jointly developing financing tools and methods tailored to the needs of the Ukrainian market, including the development of innovative solutions that support the sustainable development of enterprises.

'The reconstruction of Ukraine is much more than just rebuilding what has been lost. It is about laying the foundations for a modern, competitive, and resilient economy. Strong development institutions play a key role in this process. Poland’s experience demonstrates how strategic investments, institutional capacity, and effective support for businesses can drive long-term growth and foster successful European integration. We look forward to working with BGK to translate these experiences into practical solutions that will benefit Ukrainian entrepreneurs and the economy as a whole.'

Andriy Hapon, Chairman of the Board of the National Development Agency of Ukraine

Meanwhile, BGK’s cooperation with Ukreximbank is intended to establish a framework for a strategic partnership between the parties. The banks have declared their readiness to jointly prepare and finance development projects. The cooperation will focus on identifying, evaluating, and implementing projects of great significance for Ukraine’s reconstruction and regional development. The priorities outlined in the document include, among others, the reconstruction of Ukraine, infrastructure development, energy sector development, regional development, support for trade and SMEs, and the joint preparation of future investment projects. Additionally, BGK has pledged to support Ukreximbank’s transformation into a development institution, as well as to provide knowledge transfer and expert support.

'From Ukreximbank’s perspective, this memorandum is primarily aimed at strengthening institutional capacity and fostering a new quality of development. It is particularly important that this cooperation includes a strategic review of our bank, improvements to management systems—including risk management, capital planning, and digital transformation. These are the elements that determine a financial institution’s ability to operate effectively in the interests of the state, business, and the country’s reconstruction. We highly value BGK’s willingness to share its experience and view this partnership as an important step toward strengthening Ukreximbank’s role as Ukraine’s development bank.'

Viktor Ponomarenko, Chairman of the Board of Ukreximbank

The signatories plan to implement joint pilot initiatives. However, the memoranda do not create any financial obligations between the parties, and any potential investment projects will be carried out on the basis of separate agreements.

The National Development Agency is a Ukrainian financial institution with special status, whose purpose is to support Ukraine’s reconstruction and economic development. Its mission is to provide small and medium-sized enterprises with access to preferential financing through partner banks.

Ukreximbank is a state-owned bank of Ukraine and one of the leading financial partners for businesses and key sectors of the economy. The bank directs financing toward projects of strategic importance for the country’s reconstruction, export development, infrastructure modernization, and sustainable economic growth. Ukreximbank consistently expands its cooperation with international financial institutions, development banks, and leading export credit agencies, providing Ukrainian companies with access to guarantee instruments, project financing, and international partnerships.