The panel was chaired by Cristina CHIRIAC, President of the National Confederation for Women’s Entrepreneurship, Romania. The speakers included Teodora PREOTEASA, Director of European Funds Administration at the Investment and Development Bank, Romania; Mihai DARABAN, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Romania; and Viorel MANOLE, Executive Director of the Romanian Defence Industry Association (PATROMIL), Romania.

The discussion highlighted both the opportunities and the limitations for Romanian companies seeking to participate in Ukraine’s reconstruction, emphasizing that only a limited number of firms have the operational capacity required for major projects. The process is currently dominated by international financial institutions, making access to financial instruments, guarantees, and risk-sharing partnerships essential. The need for an official Romania–Ukraine information platform was underlined, alongside the necessity of a national strategy to support companies in navigating the instability and uncertainties of the Ukrainian environment, which is why many firms prefer the role of subcontractor. The importance of preparing Romanian companies through well-structured business plans and active government involvement in guaranteeing investments was also stressed. Additionally, the discussion addressed the potential for relocating strategic capacities to Romania or other nearby safe states to facilitate the participation of the national industry. The overall conclusion emphasized that the potential for contribution is considerable but depends on institutional coordination, robust financial mechanisms, and close cooperation with international partners.