Participants in the panel discussion “Connecting Economies: Cross-border Infrastructure and the Power of Partnership” at the Ukraine Recovery Forum in Bucharest emphasized that the development of border infrastructure and joint projects is a key condition for unlocking the economic potential of Ukrainian-Romanian cooperation, especially in the border regions of Chernivtsi and Zakarpattia Oblasts.
The discussion was moderated by Bogdan Bernyage, senior associate expert at the New Strategy Center (Romania). The panel was attended by Gheorghe Șoldan, chairman of the Suceava County Council (Romania), Mykhailo Pavliuk, deputy chairman of the Chernivtsi Regional Council, and Andrii Sheketa, first deputy chairman of the Zakarpattia Regional Council.
According to the participants, the economic partnership between Chernivtsi region and Romania is of strategic importance: Romania accounts for over 20% of the region’s foreign trade turnover. There is significant potential for deepening cooperation in the woodworking industry, where Chernivtsi’s raw material base can be combined with the processing capacities of the Romanian side. Opportunities for the development of joint projects in the fields of IT, tourism, agriculture, and transport were also noted. “Our regions are already closely linked by trade, the next step is to move from simple exports of raw materials to joint production chains,” Pavliuk said.
With regard to Zakarpattia, the participants emphasized that the reconstruction of the region is closely linked to its long-term development and the deepening of ties with Romania. Despite the fact that the region has the longest section of the common border with this country, the border infrastructure remains underdeveloped, and a number of checkpoints operate below their potential capacity. According to Sheketa, targeted infrastructure investments—in roads, rail approaches, and the modernization of border crossing points—are a necessary condition for improving connections between Transcarpathia and Romania and for making fuller use of the opportunities for cross-border cooperation.
Following the discussion, the participants concluded that the development of joint projects and the modernization of border infrastructure could strengthen the economic integration of border regions and create additional opportunities for business and employment on both sides of the border.
Ukraine needs to update its legislation on critical minerals in order to exploit its existing resource potential and strengthen its competitiveness in the global market, participants in a thematic panel at the Ukraine Recovery Forum said. They stressed that without transparent rules of the game, specialized international partnerships, and a stable security environment, the implementation of large projects in the mining sector remains limited.
The panel was moderated by Vitaliy Radchenko, managing partner of CMS Ukraine and head of the energy and climate change practice. The discussion was joined by Volodymyr Tsabal, Secretary of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Budget, Paul Coyier, Professor at the Institute of World Politics (USA), Ksenia Orynchak, Founder and Executive Director of the National Association of Extractive Industries of Ukraine, and Greg Swenson, Chairman of Republicans Overseas UK.
According to the speakers, Ukraine has significant reserves of critical raw materials, but the existing regulatory framework does not fully meet the requirements of international investors and specialized financial institutions. They emphasized the need for clear procedures for access to deposits, understandable risk-sharing mechanisms, and investment protection guarantees. “If Ukraine wants to occupy a prominent place in global supply chains for critical minerals, it needs modernized rules that are understandable to transnational companies and export credit agencies,” Tsabal said.
Separately, participants drew attention to China’s dominant role in the mineral processing segment, which poses significant risks to Western economies. In this context, the strategic partnership between Ukraine and the US, in their opinion, could become a tool for diversifying supply sources, as well as a channel for attracting capital and technology. “Cooperation with Ukraine makes it possible to reduce dependence on a limited number of suppliers and at the same time support the reconstruction of a country that is on the front line of the conflict,” Swenson emphasized.
At the same time, experts reminded that the implementation of projects in the extractive sector directly depends on the security situation. They noted that some of the territories rich in minerals are currently under Russian occupation, which complicates the planning and launch of new investment initiatives. According to the participants in the discussion, achieving lasting peace and creating a predictable security environment is a necessary condition for transforming Ukraine’s resource potential into real economic results.
The forum “Rebuilding Ukraine: Security, Opportunities, Investments” is being held on December 11-12 in Bucharest under the auspices of the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and is organized by the New Strategy Center. According to the organizers, more than 30 panel discussions and parallel sessions are planned over two days with the participation of representatives of governments, international organizations, the private sector, financial institutions, and experts from Europe, North America, and Asia. The topics of the panels cover security and defense, infrastructure, financing and investment, green energy, digitalization, human capital, and cross-border cooperation.
Approximately $3.5 million has been invested in the modernization of the Bessarabsky Market in the capital and the launch of the “Bessarabka. Food Market” project, according to project manager Natalia Dzhuylay.
“The estimated investment in the modernization is about UAH 150 million (approximately $3.5 million at the exchange rate at the time of calculation). More than half of this amount was raised in the form of a loan, the rest — from the project participants’ own funds,” she told the media outlet “Reve ta stogne restaurator” (The Restorer Roars and Moans).
She noted that this project is changing the essence and purpose of the Bessarabsky Market: traders who have worked here for decades are returning to their places and continuing to work in the renovated, but essentially unchanged, shopping arcades.
According to her, the main principle of the food hall concept is that there should be no duplication of formats and menus, and each corner should occupy a unique niche. Contracts with residents are concluded for one year.
“In case of failure to meet the specified financial indicators, we reserve the right to replace the corner. But it is obvious that failure to meet KPIs is primarily unprofitable for the resident itself, as it means a lack of sufficient revenue and traffic. We are interested in each corner working effectively, so in case of a decline, we will analyze the reasons and look for ways to improve,” Dzhuay said.
The project’s Instagram page does not have an opening date, only an announcement that it will happen soon.
“Launching a project requires extensive preparation, coordination, and investment. We had to gather residents, set up retail spaces, and get ready. Some of the work had to be postponed. Ideally, the opening should have taken place in September, but it is more important for us to do everything well, rather than in a hurry. We are not afraid of the winter period — on the contrary, we want traders and restaurateurs to be able to work right now,” she said.
As previously reported by Village, as part of the gastronomic project “Bessarabka. Food Market,” 17 food corners and a separate bar are planned to open at the Bessarabsky Market, with a total of about 400 seats in various formats. Participation in the project “Bessarabka. Food Market” project include Ministry of Desserts, Himalaya, Buffalino, Burger Farm, Glek, Matsoni, Big Mama, Zharovnya, Tatarka, Sushi Icons, Gyros, Gelarty, Vytch, as well as the Cherry Coffee café and bar.
The Bessarabsky Market is one of the oldest covered markets in Ukraine, built at the beginning of the 20th century according to a design by architect Henrik Gay. Its building is a monument of architecture and urban planning of national importance.
Prior to this, in the summer of 2024, renovation work began on the Bessarabsky Market. The Kyiv City State Administration noted at the time that the post-Soviet superstructures were being removed from part of the premises, and the work did not involve any interference with the historical details of the structures. Since May 2025, the market’s refrigeration equipment has been upgraded to reduce energy consumption.
Ukraine could attract up to €4 billion in private investment and create more than 17,000 jobs thanks to innovative construction, which includes the use of geopolymers, hempcrete, and 3D printing, according to a report by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) of the World Bank Group, “Rebuilding Ukraine: Opportunities for Investment in Innovative and Sustainable Construction.”
“As of the end of 2024, 13% of the total housing stock had already been damaged or destroyed, and a significant part of the country’s infrastructure had been affected in all major sectors (e.g., energy, transport, telecommunications, industry, social sector). The total investment needs for restoration and reconstruction were estimated at over $0.5 trillion over a decade, with housing accounting for the largest share,” the report says.
The IFC emphasizes that reconstruction creates an opportunity to build housing in a better and more efficient way, and the study identifies promising building materials and technologies that can help achieve this and build hundreds of millions of square meters of new, energy-efficient construction.
At the same time, the authors of the document note that private investment in innovative construction is hampered by a number of obstacles, including regulatory barriers, limited access to financing, low levels of education in the industry, and a shortage of skilled workers.
According to the study, Ukraine needs additional production capacity: 8 million tons of geopolymers, with an estimated investment of $1.36 billion, 6 million square meters of precast reinforced concrete – $1.5 billion, 0.7 million tons of basalt wool – $420 million, 0.1 million tons of basalt reinforcement – $420 million.
This list also includes the creation of capacity for the production of 0.5 million tons of hemp concrete, which requires $20 million in investment, 1 million cubic meters of autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) – $100 million, 3D printing for construction – $50 million, and special glazing for 8 million square meters – $72 million.
3D PRINTING, geopolymer, innovative construction, INVESTMENT
On December 11–12, Bucharest will host the forum “Rebuilding Ukraine: Security, Opportunities, Investments,” organized by the Center for New Strategies under the patronage of the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This event, which is being held for the second time, brings together officials, representatives of international organizations, the private sector, international financial institutions, and experts from various fields, such as defense, finance and banking, energy, infrastructure, digitalization, cybersecurity, and agriculture. The conference will be attended by numerous representatives of Ukrainian regional authorities who are directly involved in the planning and implementation of recovery projects.
Participants will gain a deeper understanding of Romania’s role in the recovery process in Ukraine, especially in the southern regions of the country located near Romania, as well as in issues related to connectivity, energy, and cross-border cooperation projects that have a positive economic impact on communities in both Romania and Ukraine. Over the course of two days, the event will feature more than 30 panel discussions and parallel sessions with guests from Europe, North America, and Asia. The discussions will address key elements of Ukraine’s reconstruction: security and defense, infrastructure, communications, financing and investment, green transition, energy security, digitalization, human capital, agriculture, and cross-border cooperation.
The panel discussions will address important topics such as:
● Regional security architecture and possible diplomatic developments;
● Lessons learned from the war in Ukraine and how they can be applied by Ukraine’s allies;
● Cooperation for the development of projects in the defense industry;
● Connectivity projects between Romania, Ukraine, and the Republic of Moldova;
● Financial instruments, guarantees, investments, and the role of the private sector;
● The strategic role of the Danube in Ukraine’s reconstruction;
● Black Sea ports;
● Energy sustainability, rare minerals, and the future of the green transition;
● Cloud infrastructure, advanced digitalization, and cybersecurity;
● Reintegration of displaced persons, veterans, and community recovery;
● Ukraine’s integration into the EU and necessary reforms;
● The role of local communities and minorities in cross-border cooperation.
The conference provides a unique platform for establishing links between decision-makers and the business community, financial institutions, local authorities, and experts from various fields, facilitating the creation of concrete partnerships and sustainable solutions for Ukraine’s recovery. Simultaneous interpretation in Romanian, Ukrainian, and English will be provided during the conference, as well as online streaming.
Media partner of the forum: Interfax-Ukraine news agency
Event website: https://reconstruct-ukraine.ro/
Shares of biopharmaceutical company Enlivex Therapeutics, whose securities are traded on the Nasdaq exchange, rose after the announcement of its intention to raise $212 million to create a “digital treasury” based on the RAIN token, against which the value of the token itself increased by 115% over the past day.
Enlivex plans to conduct a private placement (PIPE), in which it will issue 212 million new shares at a price of $1 per share, which is 11.5% higher than last Friday’s closing price. The company intends to use all the funds raised to purchase RAIN tokens, while Enlivex will retain its core business profile in biopharmaceuticals.
The market reacted positively to the announcement: at the end of trading on Monday, Enlivex’s share price rose by about 13%, while the RAIN token rose by 115% over the past 24 hours, the publication notes.
RAIN is the native token of the decentralized prediction market on the Arbitrum blockchain, where users can bet on the outcome of real-world events — from elections to show business events — without intermediaries, using smart contracts for settlements and transparency.
Enlivex also announced that after the deal is completed, former Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi will join the company’s board of directors, which management expects will strengthen the issuer’s international position and increase investor confidence.
Enlivex’s interest in prediction markets coincides with the rapid growth of this segment after the 2024 elections: the Polymarket platform has attracted about $2 billion in investments from ICE, the parent company of the New York Stock Exchange, and Kalshi has attracted about $1 billion from Sequoia Capital and other investors, No Worries emphasizes, citing a statement by Enlivex CEO Chai Novik that institutional interest in leading prediction market players indicates the maturity of the industry and its potential.
