**Ukraine Recovery Conference Kicks Off in Rome, Private Investment a Key Focus**
This week, thousands of companies, business leaders, and global officials have gathered in Rome for the fourth Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC). One of the main topics on the agenda is the future of a U.S.-Ukraine minerals deal, which has been making waves since President Volodymyr Zelensky signed it two months ago.
**The Deal: What We Know So Far**
The “minerals deal” covers all Ukraine’s natural resources, including oil and gas, related infrastructure, and defense projects. The Economy Ministry has released some details on initial projects that could be financed by the investment fund created under the deal, but businesses say they are still waiting for practical information about how investors will access tenders and projects.
“I expect more than some real projects will be presented (at the URC) and some real work will start between investors and Ukrainian companies,” said a business expert, who wished to remain anonymous. “But we need more details on how exactly this deal will work.”
**What’s at Stake**
The stakes are high for Ukraine, which has estimated its natural resources to be worth around $26 trillion. The country is hoping that the URC will bring in significant private investment and help kickstart a recovery after years of war.
The conference comes as Ukraine’s Ecology Ministry made a historic decision to declassify data on material deposits, a move that could unlock new investment opportunities for Ukrainian companies.
**Private Investment: A Key Focus**
The URC is placing a strong emphasis on private investment, with many experts predicting that it will be a major catalyst for growth in the coming months and years. The business expert I spoke to was optimistic about the prospects for Ukraine’s mining industry:
“The option to get loans from the fund backed by the DFC creates great appetite in the eyes of investors,” he said.
**The Way Forward**
With the URC underway, all eyes are on Rome as Ukraine seeks to unlock new investment opportunities and kickstart a recovery. The coming months will be crucial for Ukraine’s economy, with many experts predicting that private investment will play a major role in shaping its future.
As one business expert put it: “The movement has already begun.”
