Name: Ukraine Business Forum
Start: 2026-04-28T09:00+02:00
End: 2026-04-28T13:15+02:00
Location: Handelskammer Hamburg, Adolphsplatz 1, 20457 Hamburg

Ukraine Business Forum

28.04.2026, 09:00-13:15h

Despite Russia's ongoing war of aggression, Ukraine stands for remarkable economic resilience, comprehensive reform efforts, and potential for German and, in particular, Hamburg-based companies in the areas of trade and investment.

The forum provides space for discussions, the exchange of experiences and practical insights. Its aim is to offer companies tangible guidance, strengthen networks and initiate new collaborations. It is aimed at northern German companies that are already active in Ukraine or are considering involvement – with a clear focus on business realities, war-related as well as structural challenges, and solutions.

The event will be held in English.

Programm

08.30 h Registration

09.00 h Opening

Axel Kloth, Vice President, Hamburg Chamber of Commerce
Dr. Christopher Schwieger, State Councillor, Ministry of Economics, Labor and Innovation, Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg
H. E. Oleksii Makeiev, Ambassador of Ukraine to the Federal Republic of Germany

09.20 h Keynote

Reiner Perau, CEO, German Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce & Industry

09.35 h Panel I: Business in and with Ukraine: Framework Conditions and Financing
[regulatory developments, investment protection, financing options, practical barriers to entry]

Thomas Baum, Head of Division Underwriting & Risk Management, Euler Hermes AG
Kristian Andersson, Chairman of the Management Board, SEB Ukraine
Matthias Koster, Manager, PricewaterhouseCoopers GmbH Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft
Florian Karges, Senior Advisor to UkraineConnect, DEG Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH

Moderation: Reiner Perau, CEO, German Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce & Industry

10.30 h Coffee Break

11.00 h Panel II: From Practice – Experiences of German Companies in Ukraine
[Success factors, challenges, lessons learned, dealing with risks and authorities]

Dr. Andreas Knaul, Attorney & Head of the Ukraine Desk, Luther Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH
Dr. Stephan Dohm, Director Finance & Development, HHLA International GmbH
Jan-Oliver Buhlmann, CEO, Buhlmann Rohr Fittings Stahlhandel GmbH & Co. KG

Moderation: Stefan Kägebein, Head of the Division for Eastern and Southeastern Europe and the South Caucasus / Head of the Ukraine Task Force, German Chamber of Industry and Commerce (DIHK)

11.55 h Session III [Pitches]: Solutions from Ukraine