Ukraine is investable if the risk is understood - International Chamber of Commerce Secretary General John W.H. Denton

Exclusive interview with Mr. John W.H. Denton, ICC Secretary General, for Interfax-Ukraine

By Maksim Urakin

Secretary General of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), John W.H. Denton AO, visited Kyiv in June 2025. In an exclusive interview with Interfax-Ukraine, he discussed ICC’s efforts to support Ukraine’s private sector during the war, plans to promote Ukrainian exports globally, and what the country must demonstrate now to attract investment. Denton also shared his personal reflections on standing with Ukraine during one of the most challenging times in its modern history.

Q: Mr. Denton, this is not your first visit to Ukraine. What motivated your repeated visits since the start of the full-scale invasion?

A: I’ve been to Kyiv four times since the war began. I first came within six weeks of the invasion to show that the global business community stood with Ukrainian businesses. It was important to provide immediate support and demonstrate solidarity. I met with regional chambers of commerce, including those from occupied areas, to understand their needs and realities.

We realized early on that keeping Ukraine’s private sector functioning is essential to maintaining the country’s economic resilience — and to making future recovery possible. A functioning private sector is the foundation for reconstruction. If it collapses, recovery becomes doubly hard.

Q: In 2024, you announced a reduction in the cost of access to the ICC Arbitration Court for Ukrainian companies. Has that happened?

A: Yes, we implemented the reduced rates to remove barriers to dispute resolution for Ukrainian businesses. The arbitration process is only triggered when a dispute arises under a contract that references ICC rules.