ICC Ukraine’s Participation in Forbes Banker 2026: Financial Stability, Tax Policy, and Future Reconstruction

On April 16, 2026, a key industry event for the financial sector — Forbes Banker 2026 — took place in Kyiv, bringing together leading bankers, business representatives, government officials, and experts.

ICC Ukraine was represented at the event by Secretary General Oleksii Kozhanov and Executive Director Tetiana Savosko.

Discussions focused on the strategic challenges facing the financial sector amid the prolonged war, rising tax pressure, and the need to build a resource base for Ukraine’s future recovery.

Balancing Fiscal Pressure and Economic Development

One of the key messages of the conference was the need to shift from short-term fiscal thinking to a long-term development strategy for the financial system.

Governor of the National Bank of Ukraine, Andriy Pyshnyi, emphasized the systemic role of the banking sector as one of the largest taxpayers and a key driver of the economy.

At the same time, market participants stressed that excessive tax pressure — including a potential rate of up to 50% — could significantly limit banks’ ability to build capital and finance investment projects as early as 2027.

For the international business community represented by ICC, the predictability of tax policy remains a critical factor in attracting foreign investment.

Business Expectations: Speed, Trust, and Partnership

Conference participants highlighted a shift in business expectations toward banks:

• for mid-sized businesses — reliability and speed of decision-making remain key priorities;
• for large businesses — long-term partnerships and flexibility in financing approaches are essential.

Particular attention was paid to simplifying financial monitoring procedures and developing digital services, both crucial for integrating Ukrainian businesses into global markets.

These trends directly align with ICC’s priorities in facilitating international trade and developing efficient financial instruments.

Economic Drivers: Defense, Energy, and Consumption

The banking community identified key sectors that will drive demand for financing in 2026–2027:

• the defense industry (including Military Tech),energy,
• domestic consumption.

The growing importance of dual-use goods was also highlighted — a segment requiring new approaches to risk assessment and financing.

European Integration and Banking Sector Transformation

Another important topic was the adaptation of Ukrainian banks to European standards as a prerequisite for attracting strategic investors and integrating Ukraine into the EU financial space.

Digitalization, improving the efficiency of banking networks, and harmonizing regulatory procedures were identified as key directions for sector transformation.

ICC Ukraine Position

Participation of ICC Ukraine in Forbes Banker 2026 reaffirms the organization’s active role in shaping dialogue between business, the financial sector, and the government.

ICC Ukraine consistently supports:

• the creation of a predictable tax environment;
• improved access to finance for businesses;
• integration of the Ukrainian market into the global economy;
• strengthening institutional capacity for post-war recovery.

The participation of ICC Ukraine’s leadership in the event was an important part of this effort and contributed to strengthening engagement with key stakeholders in the financial market.