photo: ACRI on Facebook/Delegation from Ukraine visits production plant as part of RBD 2025
The war may rage on, but Ukraine is already planning its post-war future. In Ostrava, Czech and Ukrainian companies met to forge partnerships that could drive the reconstruction of Ukraine’s crippled railway system.
Ukrainian companies are actively seeking Czech partners to support the reconstruction of their war-torn railway infrastructure. Instead of military technology, the focus is on rails, spare parts, and new trains. The meetings were organised by the Association of Czech Railway Industry Enterprises (ACRI) in collaboration with the Confederation of Industry of the Czech Republic (SP ČR).
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As part of this year's Rail Business Days trade fair in Ostrava, an incoming mission from Ukraine took place, focusing on the development of the railway industry. Fifteen representatives of Ukrainian companies travelled to Ostrava to establish new business contacts with Czech firms and discuss possible cooperation on the reconstruction of Ukraine’s railway infrastructure and operations. ACRI reported on the event via its official website, while SP ČR acted as co-organiser.
Czech-Ukrainian Cooperation Aims to Rebuild Critical Infrastructure
The visit included presentations and meetings with ACRI member companies such as BONATRANS, Škoda Group, Wikow MGI, and others. The Ukrainian delegation toured the production plants of these firms, where employees introduced them to the latest technologies and production methods related to rolling stock and associated components. The programme also included a visit to the trade fair itself, where innovations and modern technologies in the Czech rail industry were showcased.
"The meetings focused primarily on opportunities for know-how transfer, component supplies, vehicle modernisation, and support for future reconstruction and development of Ukraine’s rail network. Both sides expressed interest in long-term cooperation and the involvement of Czech companies in infrastructure recovery projects, which will be critical for Ukraine’s economic development after the war," stated Jakub Weimann, Vice-Chair of ACRI and CEO of BONATRANS GROUP a.s.
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Building Relationships Now Is Essential for Ukraine’s Future
The potential for cooperation was also highlighted by Lukáš Martin, Director of the International Relations Section of SP ČR: "This event is a good example of the much-needed cooperation between Czech exporters and potential Ukrainian clients. Czech companies can play a significant role in the reconstruction of Ukraine, and many of them see promising opportunities in that market. However, we cannot wait until the end of the armed conflict—the necessary relationships must be built now," Martin said.
Participants in the Ukrainian delegation included representatives from major companies and organisations within Ukraine’s railway industry, such as the certification agency of Ukrainian Railways, GENESIS Engineering, MS TRADE UKRAINE, Chernigov Automobile Plant, Bas Motor Lutsk, UkrTransInvest, Ivano-Frankivsk Locomotive Repair Plant, Kyiv Electrical Carriage-Repair Plant, and TES Ukraine.
ACRI Continues Its Support for Ukraine
The Czech-Ukrainian meeting in Ostrava marks another step in the Czech Republic’s involvement in the reconstruction and modernisation of Ukraine’s railways. As early as 2023, ACRI had signalled its readiness to participate in restoring Ukraine’s transport infrastructure, which was severely damaged by Russian aggression. "Since day one, the Czech Republic has been supporting Ukraine in defending and rebuilding its territory, including the transport sector. We have provided temporary bridges to replace destroyed infrastructure. We have assisted in transporting Ukrainian grain to global markets. Czech trams and buses are helping Ukrainian cities rebuild their public transport fleets. And we are prepared to continue this support in the transport sector," declared Minister of Transport Martin Kupka at the time.
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