Antigua and Barbuda could lose visa-free access to the Schengen Area by the end of 2026 due to the European Union’s concerns about its citizenship-by-investment program, said Prime Minister Gaston Brown. According to him, Brussels has warned of a possible revocation of visa privileges if the EU’s security concerns regarding the program are not addressed.
This refers to the Citizenship by Investment Program—a scheme under which foreign investors can obtain citizenship of Antigua and Barbuda through a fee or investment. For purchasers of such passports, mobility remains the key commercial benefit: the country’s passport currently allows for short-term visa-free entry into the Schengen Area.
Brown made it clear, however, that the government does not intend to shut down the citizenship-by-investment program, even under pressure from the EU. For Antigua and Barbuda, it remains an important source of non-tax revenue and a tool for financing development. The authorities hope to convince the European side that additional electronic travel monitoring could serve as an alternative to a full-fledged visa regime.
Pressure on Caribbean programs has intensified following the reform of the EU’s visa mechanism. In October 2025, the European Parliament supported an update to the rules that allows for the faster suspension of visa-free travel for countries that pose security risks or violate the conditions of visa liberalization. “Golden passport” schemes effectively fall into a separate category of such risks.
In its eighth report on the visa suspension mechanism, the European Commission explicitly stated that citizenship-by-investment programs in visa-free countries pose a “non-zero risk” to the Schengen Area. Although countries in the Eastern Caribbean have already raised the minimum investment threshold to $200,000 and tightened applicant screening, Brussels considers the situation problematic.
This is a warning sign for the investment migration market. Vanuatu has already become the first country to lose visa-free access to the EU due to “golden passports”: the European Union permanently revoked the visa-free travel agreement with this Pacific nation in December 2024, following a previous suspension of the arrangement in 2022.
Antigua and Barbuda has already faced similar pressure from the United States. In early 2026, Washington suspended visa services for the country’s citizens, citing concerns that the citizenship-by-investment program could be exploited by criminal organizations to gain access to the U.S.
If the EU does indeed impose visa requirements, the value of an Antigua and Barbuda passport for foreign investors will plummet. For small island economies in the Caribbean, this could mean not only a drop in demand for CBI programs but also a reevaluation of the entire model of attracting capital through the sale of citizenship.
For investors, the conclusion is becoming increasingly clear: a “golden passport” without sustainable visa-free access to the EU is transforming from a tool for mobility into a much riskier asset. European policy is gradually shifting from tolerance of investment citizenship to direct control and the possible revocation of visa benefits.
Antigua and Barbuda, EU, golden passport, INVESTMENT, VISA-FREE TRAVEL
The Kovel Porto Industrial Park (Kovel, Volyn Oblast) has signed a cooperation agreement with the Polish company Hanplast Sp. z o.o., which will serve as the general contractor and investor for the KovelEnergoPort project, with a total value of 42 million euros, according to the Kovel Porto Industrial Park.
The agreement was signed by the parties during the Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC 2026) in Gdańsk.
“We have signed an agreement with the Polish company Hanplast, the general contractor (EPC), which is also participating in the project as an investor with a 20% stake in the energy SPV,” the IP’s Facebook page states.
The project involves the construction of a 5.99 MW solar power plant, a 40 MWh energy storage system, and the generation of approximately 5,800 MWh of electricity per year. Solar panels will be installed on the roofs of industrial buildings.
The total budget for the logistics and energy segment is approximately 2 million euros.
It is noted that bringing in a contractor as a co-owner of the project is “a clear signal of the project’s banking attractiveness to international financial institutions.”
IP “Kovel Porto” adds that a memorandum was also signed in Gdańsk with UkraineInvest, paving the way for state support for the project under the significant investment regime.
For its part, the Polish company Hanplast announced on LinkedIn that the project will be co-financed by the Polish bank BGK, and Hanplast, as an investor, will receive a 20% stake in the project.
“The ‘Kovel Porto’ investment project is being built on one of the key transport routes connecting Ukraine with the EU. The development of such infrastructure opens up new opportunities for industry, logistics, and the further recovery of the Ukrainian economy. It is not often that we have the opportunity to participate in projects that contribute to Ukraine’s future. This makes us even more grateful for the trust placed in us,” Hanplast notes.
The investor reports that, as part of the project, the infrastructure supplies energy to the dry port, warehouses, and industrial park, and feeds surplus power into the grid.
“Kovel Porto” is a multimodal logistics and energy platform on a 25-hectare brownfield site, located 56 km by rail and 62 km by road from the EU border (the Yagodin-Dorohusk crossing).
The project has been designated as being of national importance and is integrated into the TEN-T core network.
The platform combines six areas of operation: a dry port and container terminal, a customs hub (Smart Customs Hub), warehouses and 3PL logistics, an industrial park, energy (KovelEnergoPort), and a data center.
The project operator is Kompressorna Technika LLC (the initiator of the “Kovel Porto” private enterprise), whose ultimate beneficiaries, according to YouControl, are businessman Ilya Koshkin (66.28%) and Angela Krapivianska (22.72%).
The Polish company Hanplast specializes, among other things, in the design and manufacture of molds, injection molding of plastics, as well as the production of photovoltaic modules and solutions.
The “Kovel Porto” industrial park was registered in July 2024, and in October of that same year, the park received 69.8 million UAH in government funding for the construction and modernization of its infrastructure.
Hanplast, INDUSTRIAL PARK, INVESTMENT, Kovel Porto, SOLAR POWER PLANT
The Odesa Investment Congress has updated the program for the forum, which will take place on July 10, 2026, in Odesa at the SPATIUM Hotel and will run from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
The final program for the congress includes two conference halls operating throughout the day—from the first panel discussion to the gala evening and concert program. The organizers note that there are only a few days left before the event begins, and seating is limited.
The program for July 10 includes a press conference on accessibility as a new urban philosophy, featuring government officials, as well as panel discussions on Odessa’s investment appeal, new investments in the regions, wellness as a new urban economy, and the development of medical, rehabilitation, and inclusive spaces.
Representatives from SPATIUM, ZEZMAN Holding, KADORR, “Gefest,” “Two Academicians,” Akvareli, Ribas Hotels, and other companies will join the discussion on Odessa’s investment appeal. A separate panel will be dedicated to new investments in the regions, featuring RIEL, UDP, SAGA, Creator-Bud, Avalon, SIGMA+, and CREDO.
One of the central segments will be a presentation by the SUPERHUMANS team in Odesa and a discussion on the development of medical, rehabilitation, and inclusive spaces. The program also includes a discussion on the topic “Odesa and UNESCO: Heritage Preservation vs. Modern Development.”
The URBAN DESIGN hall will host discussions featuring the chief architects of Kyiv, Lviv, Mykolaiv, Zhytomyr, Vinnytsia, and Rivne; a panel titled “Women Shaping Ukrainian Space”; workshops by the BOARD business community featuring Netpeak and Profiles; and an Evening Talk on premium-level sales.
The day will conclude with a gala evening, a concert program, and the presentation of the Vasyl Kandinsky Special Award.
A special program is also planned for congress guests on July 9 and 11, which will include private site visits, presentations, and a dinner.
Tickets for the Odesa Investment Congress are available on the website: ubc-ua.info/oic. VIP guests, speakers, and partners can contact us at: 077 777 25 47.
The Odesa Investment Congress is organized by the DMNTR media group. The general partner is SPATIUM Group.
The Interfax-Ukraine news agency is the information partner of the Odesa Investment Congress.
The OKKO gas station chain is investing over $120 million to open 20 new 3.0-format gas stations and renovate another 60 existing ones by 2029, according to OKKO Group CEO Vasyl Danyliak.
“We are probably the company that has carried out the most renovations during the full-scale war… We not only quickly restored damaged gas stations, but also launched a program back in the fall of 2022 to upgrade and rebuild our stations; over the years, we have renovated more than 200 facilities. But we see how requirements are changing—that’s why we developed the 3.0 format,” Danilyak told reporters during a press tour on Wednesday.
The first complex of this format was built and opened in Irpin, and the second was renovated to the 3.0 format in Hatne. The next step is the construction of a flagship highway complex in Zvyagel.
According to Danylyak, investments in the construction of the gas station in Irpin amounted to approximately $3 million; highway complexes in the new format are estimated to cost $4–5 million, while the renovation of existing highway stations will cost about $2 million. By 2029, the company plans to invest over $120 million in the development of the 3.0 format, specifically to build 20 new stations and renovate about 60, thereby covering approximately 20% of the network.
The new format emphasizes technology, the digitalization of the customer journey (OKKO PAY, OKKO Drive, the Smart Kitchen system), expanded food service, energy independence, and the development of infrastructure for electric vehicles, as well as simple navigation, accessibility, and modern design. In particular, the gas stations now feature OKKO Work Spaces—rooms for phone calls and online meetings, an all-season terrace, children’s play areas, and more.
In addition to the rooftop solar power plant, solar panels have also been installed as a canopy over the charging stations. In total, a 69 kW solar power plant has been installed at the Irpin gas station, and a 48 kW plant in Hatne, with plans to expand to 100 kW. During peak generation periods, these systems can cover up to 50% of the complex’s own electricity consumption. Combined with generators and backup power, this allows the gas stations to remain operational even during power outages. By the end of 2026, solar power plants will be operating at more than 300 gas stations in the network, with a total capacity exceeding 6 MW.
According to Danylyak, the company also plans to install solar power plants near gas stations “where it is possible to lease land.” In particular, this has already been done in Kalynivka, and such a mini-solar power plant will soon be installed in Ivankiv.
OKKO has been developing its electric vehicle initiatives since 2014, when it became the first gas station chain in Ukraine to begin building a systematic charging infrastructure. Today, this includes approximately 100 Ultra Fast Chargers at 63 locations. In the new format at gas stations, the charging area is located under a separate canopy with solar panels, separated from the fueling lanes.
“Together with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the company is preparing a $10 million financing program to expand its network of high-speed charging stations,” Danilyak said.
According to Vasyl Dmytriv, OKKO’s vice president of marketing and development, the company now competes not only with gas stations but also with fast-food chains, restaurants, and stores. OKKO 3.0 features a full-fledged dining area offering Ukrainian, European, and Asian cuisines, plus a section for ready-to-eat meals: soups, main courses and side dishes, salads, burgers, pizza, WOK dishes, and pasta. The key difference of the new format is the open kitchen. Thanks to the expanded kitchen infrastructure, the company can now operate multiple culinary concepts simultaneously—including preparing dishes “to order.” OKKO remains Ukraine’s No. 1 coffee chain by sales: in 2025, customers purchased nearly 34 million cups. In the new gas station format, the coffee area has been expanded; specifically, the location in Hatne offers over 150 coffee options.
electromobility, gas station, INVESTMENT, Даниляк, ОККО, СЕС
The agro-industrial holding “Astarta” has modernized one of the largest livestock complexes in the Khmelnytskyi region by installing a state-of-the-art 40-head milking carousel, the company’s press service reported on Facebook.
“Dairy farming remains one of Astarta’s strategic areas of development… In the last 2.5 years alone, investments in the dairy segment have exceeded 1 billion hryvnia,” the press service quoted Viktor Ivanchik, CEO of the agribusiness holding, as saying.
According to the press service, investments are being made in farm modernization, technology, and production quality, resulting in market leadership in industrial milk production and 99% of milk being of extra-class quality.
According to the company, the complex is designed to house 2,000 head of cattle.
The modernization project involved upgrading production facilities with a focus on improving animal welfare, production efficiency, and the potential for further expansion.
The company noted that the modernization is part of the holding’s infrastructure program, which also includes the implementation of digital technologies in livestock farming, improving the energy efficiency of farms, and enhancing the genetics of the herd.
“Astarta” is a vertically integrated agro-industrial holding operating in seven regions of Ukraine and is the country’s largest sugar producer. The company’s portfolio includes five sugar refineries, agricultural enterprises with a land bank of 214,000 hectares (including 129,000 hectares in Poltava Oblast, 42,000 hectares in Khmelnytskyi Oblast, and 16,000 hectares in Vinnytsia Oblast), and 26 dairy farms with 29,000 head of cattle across three regions. The holding company also operates a soybean processing plant and a bioenergy complex in Poltava Oblast, as well as a network of six grain elevators.
Astarta’s net profit for 2025 fell 4.2-fold to $19.94 million, while consolidated revenue decreased by 23% to $472 million.
Revenue from the livestock segment last year amounted to EUR56 million, and the average annual livestock headcount increased by 5% to 29,000.
Milk sales volumes rose by 6% year-over-year to 122,000 metric tons. At the same time, 99% of the raw milk was classified as extra-quality milk, compared to 97% in 2024.
Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction will create a massive market for the construction sector, industry, and related sectors; however, Ukrainian companies need to start preparing now to compete with international contractors, according to Andriy Ozeychuk, director of Rauta and chairman of the board of directors of the Ukrainian Steel Construction Center Association.
In his column for The Page, he noted that once the war ends, demand for construction will be significant from the general public, the government, and the business sector alike. According to estimates by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, there are about 8 million Ukrainians abroad who fled during the full-scale invasion, and the UN forecasts the return of 3–3.5 million people once lasting peace and security guarantees are in place.
According to the expert, a significant portion of those who return, as well as internally displaced persons, will need new housing or the restoration of damaged homes. At the same time, reconstruction will not be limited to the housing stock. According to estimates by the Kyiv School of Economics, residential buildings account for only about one-third of the direct losses from the war, while significant losses were also sustained by transportation and energy infrastructure, corporate assets, industry, and the agri-industrial complex.
Ozeychuk notes that, according to World Bank estimates, Ukraine’s reconstruction will require more than EUR500 billion over the next decade. This is nearly three times Ukraine’s GDP in 2025 and creates significant opportunities not only for the construction sector but also for the entire economy.
In his estimation, every hryvnia invested in construction has a multiplier effect and stimulates 1.5 to 3 times greater growth in related sectors. Examples include the postwar reconstruction of Germany and South Korea, where the construction sector became one of the catalysts for economic growth.
The expert identifies the main sources of funding for large-scale projects as direct financial assistance from international partners—including the G7, the EU, and the U.S.—the attraction of large private investments backed by state guarantees, as well as reparations and confiscated frozen assets of the Russian Federation. Ukraine’s European integration should serve as an additional incentive, as it will eventually open access to specialized EU development funds.
At the same time, Ukrainian construction companies may already face stiff competition from European players. According to Ozeychuk, the most realistic scenario would be a consortium model in which a European general contractor would work alongside Ukrainian subcontractors and use local materials certified to European EN standards.
Under this scenario, foreign companies could be involved in high-tech work, while Ukrainian businesses would handle local logistics, specialized work, and the construction of utility networks, roads, and capital construction projects.
The expert identifies financing conditions as the main barrier for Ukrainian companies. While in Ukraine construction is often carried out using substantial advance payments, the EU commonly uses a post-audit payment model—based on the completion of specific project phases. This requires significant working capital, whereas Ukrainian companies have limited access to low-cost long-term loans.
To level the playing field, Ozeychuk believes the government should launch programs for affordable long-term loans backed by state guarantees, provide preferential financing for the modernization of Ukrainian building materials plants, simplify the adoption of EN standards, and advocate for Ukrainian businesses’ participation in international grant programs.
A separate challenge will be the construction industry’s transition to European design standards. By 2028, the Ukrainian system is expected to fully integrate into the European space and adopt Eurocodes. This will remove some barriers for foreign engineers but will also require Ukrainian specialists to rapidly upgrade their qualifications.
Among the technological trends in reconstruction, the expert cites BIM modeling, digital twins of buildings, energy-efficient solutions, and the concept of net-zero energy buildings. In his assessment, the market will shift toward rapid modular construction, eco-friendly materials, and innovative solutions.
Another key constraint will be a labor shortage. According to Ozeychuk, demobilized military personnel and men returning from abroad will only partially offset the labor shortage. High demand could lead to rising wages in construction, particularly for blue-collar jobs, and could also encourage the retraining of specialists from other sectors, as well as the more active involvement of women, veterans, and older workers.
In addition, Ukrainian companies are already beginning to collaborate with agencies that specialize in the official recruitment of construction workers from South Asian countries, including India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.
Ozeychuk believes that the two main principles of the future reconstruction are speed of implementation and the “Build Back Better” approach—that is, rebuilding to a higher standard than before the destruction. It is precisely these criteria that will determine the demand for modern materials, technologies, and production capacity in Ukraine.
Rauta is a Ukrainian company operating in the field of prefabricated buildings, facade and roofing systems, sandwich panels, and steel construction. The “Ukrainian Center for Steel Construction” Association brings together companies working in the segments of metal structures, building materials, design, and industrial construction.
CONSTRUCTION, Eurocode, INVESTMENT, OZEYCHUK, RAUTA, RECONSTRUCTION
