Contributing to Ukraine’s reconstruction with export credit insurance
Reconstruction in Ukraine
The reconstruction of Ukraine is a task of enormous scale. At the same time, this reconstruction will not only take place once the war is over. Investments are needed even now to keep the Ukrainian economy running, to repair damaged critical infrastructure and to maintain essential services. In addition to public support, the private sector has an important role to play in this. Export credit insurance (ECI) is therefore increasingly serving as a gateway for Dutch companies to the Ukrainian market.
For Dutch companies, Ukraine offers opportunities to contribute to recovery and reconstruction through knowledge, technology and products. However, doing business with Ukraine entails considerable risks under the current circumstances. This is precisely where Atradius Dutch State Business (hereinafter Atradius DSB) can play a role. Through export credit insurance, payment risks associated with export transactions that cannot be covered, or cannot be adequately covered, by the private insurance market can be mitigated.
To this end, the Dutch government made a specific facility available for Ukraine in 2022. Initially, this facility covered risks amounting to €120 million. The government recently announced that it would be expanding this to over €260 million from 2029 onwards. In doing so, we are supporting Ukraine’s resilience, economic continuity and reconstruction.
Ukrainian public and private sector customers
Transactions with both public and private Ukrainian buyers may be eligible, and the maximum cover percentage for political and commercial risks is currently 98 per cent. Transactions within the defence sector may also be covered, subject to certain conditions. This makes the EKV not only an instrument for hedging risks, but also a means of actually enabling Dutch companies to do business with Ukraine and to contribute to the economic recovery and the reconstruction of critical infrastructure.
The fact that this facility is now actually being utilised is evident from the development of the portfolio. At the start of September, Atradius DSB had four active policies and three cover commitments for Ukraine, with a total exposure of approximately €85 million. The transactions are situated, amongst other things, in the identified critical sectors such as energy, agri-food and maritime. In addition, Atradius DSB is working with international partners on new applications and projects.
From financing to concrete projects at the Rebuild Ukraine Conference
However, simply facilitating financing and guarantees is not enough. During the meetings of the Ukraine Business Advisory Council (BAC), it emerged, amongst other things, that a key challenge lies in developing a sufficiently large pipeline of concrete, feasible and financeable projects. Access to appropriate financing and risk management instruments, particularly for SMEs, also remains a key focus.
ReBuild Ukraine Conference & Exhibition
This is precisely why it is important for financiers, exporters, governments and Ukrainian clients to connect with one another. The ReBuild Ukraine Conference & Exhibition will take place in Warsaw on 12 and 13 November 2026. Atradius DSB is taking part in the accompanying Dutch trade mission. The conference brings together Ukrainian government bodies and local authorities, businesses, investors and international financial institutions to present reconstruction projects and facilitate contacts between parties. The World Bank, EBRD and EIB, amongst others, are also expected to attend the event. The Netherlands will be represented with its own NL Lounge.
For Atradius DSB, ReBuild Ukraine offers an important opportunity to discuss specific projects and the possibilities of export credit insurance with Dutch companies and potential Ukrainian customers at an early stage. In doing so, we aim not only to further develop existing contacts, but also to identify new projects in which Dutch companies can contribute to Ukraine’s reconstruction and economic resilience.
Meet Atradius DSB at ReBuild Ukraine
Our Business Developers, Mackenzie Masaki and Robert-Jan Arp, would be delighted to discuss your plans for Ukraine and the possibilities offered by export credit insurance with you on 12 and 13 November.
Mackenzie Masaki - Business Developer
Robert-Jan Arp - Business Developer