BGV Group Management participated in the Kyiv International Economic Forum 2024

The BGV Group Management team participated in the anniversary celebration of one of the biggest business events in Ukraine, the Kyiv International Economic Forum. The company joined the conversation on Ukraine's economic stability, specifically addressing the current challenges and opportunities that Ukrainian businesses face today.

FOUR MAIN THESES FROM BGV'S SPEECH

1. Sergii Voitsekhovskyi, a BGV Board of Directors member, described the group's investment strategy's top priorities, highlighting our main focus on the development and modernization of the country's vital infrastructure. Gennadii Butkevych's group of companies isn't waiting for the war to end or for "better times"; we are ready to invest in Ukraine's stability now and contribute to its future growth. That is why critical infrastructure is our main investment vector. This encompasses all our energy and energy efficiency initiatives, including mining, processing, retail, and development.
2. Over the past ten years, BGV Group Management has invested over $100 million in Ukrainian mining projects, focusing on graphite, rare metals, and rare earth elements. This investment opportunity extends far beyond the size of our company or even our country. Our potential is to become a global leader in extracting critical raw materials (CRM). Ukraine has a valuable opportunity for rapid growth with its abundance of critical resources, many located within its depths. Currently, China is the primary global provider of critical raw materials. Using graphite as an example, the statistics are quite concerning – China is responsible for supplying around 90% of the world's raw materials. Nevertheless, Ukraine has the potential to take the lead, making a significant contribution to the issue of international security.
3. Mining projects are inherently costly and extensive, requiring substantial investments and meticulous preparation adhering to global norms. Over several years, our company has invested nearly $10 million in our graphite project's technical and economic feasibility studies. "And this is just the initial groundwork. The 10 million invested in the project doesn't allow us to extract and generate income. It simply enables us to engage in negotiations with potential partners (IFIs) and reach an agreement on the project's future development and collaboration," Sergii Voitsekhovskyi concluded.
4. BGV projects aren't just big in scale. They have the power to transform and develop cities and regions, initiate ecosystem solutions, enhance infrastructure and services, and generate job opportunities. This is particularly significant for us, considering that Ukrainian regions are undervalued. We are committed to their development. Our flagship graphite project is implemented in the village of Inhuletske, Kirovohrad region, with a population of around 900 people. We anticipate investing $400 million in the project, which will undoubtedly boost the community's progress and bring additional advantages.