Ukrainian refugees, almost a million of who now live and work in Germany, are an excellent opportunity for German companies to both solve labor shortages and create the groundwork for future closer cooperation with Ukraine, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said at the opening of the 6th Ukrainian-German business forum in Berlin on Tuesday.

"Take advantage of this enormous potential. Integrate the Ukrainians who are here with us into your companies. Even if these women and men return to Ukraine after the war, they will become a valuable asset to their companies. Because then they form human bridges with the country, which, as a candidate for EU membership, has enormous economic potential," the chancellor emphasized.

According to him, many of the Ukrainian refugees are completing integration courses in these weeks and months, many now speak German, and almost all of them are well trained.

"This is a guarantee that economic relations between Germany and Ukraine will develop even better and more dynamically in the future," Scholz described the integration of Ukrainians into German companies.

He noted that Ukraine is a country with millions of hardworking, well-educated citizens. "A country with which we are more closely connected than ever before, thanks to the Ukrainians who now live here with us," the German Chancellor emphasized.

According to the organizers of the forum, including the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK), the German Committee on Eastern European Economic Relations (OA) and the German-Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (AHK Ukraine), the event brought together more than 500 participants who want to learn about the economic development of Ukraine during the war, as well as existing opportunities for cooperation and investment. This year's conference is entitled "Ukraine's economy is growing again despite the war / Demand from German companies." Three panel discussions focus on the topics of infrastructure, energy and defense.

"Regardless of the war, a dozen investment projects have already begun, and German companies are currently seeking investment guarantees from the federal government for another 30 projects. Reconstruction has begun and German companies have joined in," OA Deputy Chairman Christian Bruch emphasized.

The risk of war can be controlled, especially in the western and central parts of the country, but more attractive offers of public and private financing and insurance solutions are needed, he said.

Managing Director of AHK Ukraine Reiner Perau also believes that the security situation allows business travel to resume in most regions in order to start doing business.

It is indicated that in the first eight months of 2023, German-Ukrainian trade grew by about 30% and amounted to EUR 6.2 billion: imports to Germany fell again slightly - by 5.5%, to EUR 1.8 billion, while exports increased by 52%, to EUR 4.4 billion.