Discussion featuring Igor Burakovsky at a CSIS event during the World Bank Annual Meetings 2026

Ukraine’s greatest asset is its human capital. The success of the country’s recovery will depend directly on the creativity, knowledge, and skills of its people. These themes were at the heart of the discussion, “Ukraine’s Economy: Current Realities and Future Prospects,” held at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) during the 2026 World Bank Group and IMF Spring Meetings in Washington, D.C. Igor Burakovsky, Chair of the Board of the Institute for Economic Research and Policy Consulting (IER), participated in the discussion through the RRR4U project, implemented with the support of the International Renaissance Foundation.

The speakers agreed that strong partnerships with international stakeholders offer the best way to highlight Ukraine’s economic potential and attract private capital. They emphasized that discussions about doing business in Ukraine must be practical, market-driven, and grounded in reality. The country also has strong potential to build on a cluster-based approach, bringing together businesses, suppliers, researchers, investors, public authorities, and other stakeholders to strengthen their competitiveness.

“Ukraine has a unique competitive advantage: a robust civil society and a strong sense of patriotism that unites businesses and citizens alike. This solidarity and the collective determination of the Ukrainian people are not merely a source of inspiration—they are a genuine economic driver of the country’s development,” said Igor Burakovsky.