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Int'l Business Times
16 hours ago
- Business
- Int'l Business Times
Ukraine as Hidden Frontier for Bold Investors: B4P's Mark Thornton on Turning Crisis into Capital
The prevailing narrative around Ukraine is usually dominated by images of destruction and disruption. For many in the global business community, these headlines paint a picture of uncertainty and instability, overshadowing the more nuanced and hopeful reality on the ground. Mark Thornton, the founder and CEO of Business for the Planet (B4P), is among the voices cutting through the noise. He sees Ukraine as a compelling opportunity for the right investment. Thornton has over two decades of experience advising global leadership, from Fortune 100 firms to elite military institutions. A former Chief Operating Officer of a major private banking operation in London, he served as a senior risk officer for a leading investment management firm, where he approved complex financial products across Europe. Thornton also trained executives at some of the world's most prestigious universities and institutions, including Ivy League law schools and top-tier business programs. Business for the Planet Besides his vast experience, Thornton stands out for his ability to connect rigorous investment strategies with meaningful impact. Appearing on major media networks and serving on public boards, he brings depth and visibility to the work he's doing through B4P. His mission is about innovating and upgrading capitalism so it works, especially in challenging environments. Thornton's firsthand experiences in Ukraine defy the common assumptions. While global media continues to focus on instability, he speaks of a country where day-to-day life, commerce, and infrastructure in many areas remain remarkably intact. "When I've been to cities like Kyiv, what's really struck me is how resilient people are, way more than what you'd expect from the headlines," Thornton shares. "Businesses aren't just surviving. They're actually growing. Even ones that have taken big hits are managing to bounce back and do well. There's this sharp, determined energy in the business community. It's like when the usual competition disappears, people see it as a chance to step up. And they do." Much still needs to be done, however. By some estimates, the rebuilding and modernization of Ukraine will require $524 billion in investment over the next decade. However, this isn't only about physical infrastructure. It's about financial systems, technology, and innovation. Thornton describes Ukraine today as a "frozen market" where vast potential lies untapped due to halted lending, inactive capital markets, and limited investor engagement. Previously, Ukrainian companies were active participants in the Eurobond market, maintaining a notable volume of outstanding bonds. In recent times, however, new issuance has basically halted. Similarly, local banks, which had once provided substantial foreign currency lending, have reduced their exposure in this area, shifting toward more cautious financing strategies. Thornton believes this gap is precisely where the early mover advantage lies. Thornton isn't alone in recognizing this. There's a growing "fear of missing out" among investors who are beginning to grasp the scale of Ukraine's coming economic transformation. Thornton points to specific sectors that are already beginning to move: construction, mining, energy, and defense. "I see these sectors heading into what I like to call 'supercycles.' They're long stretches of serious, exponential growth," Thornton states. "Think about it. You can't rebuild without steel and you can't make steel without power. It's all connected. I'm already noticing global companies making moves in Ukraine. They're not always shouting about it, but they're definitely setting things up behind the scenes, getting ready for what could be one of the biggest economic stories of the next decade." Through B4P, Thornton created a unique financial instrument that addresses capital protection, one of the biggest concerns for potential investors. B4P has stepped in with an alternative product designed to fully protect investor principals using a combination of AA and AAA-rated assets. Here, the vast majority of cash flows in the structure maintain a high credit rating throughout the life of the loan, while exposure to lower-rated cash flows is kept relatively low. Thornton's personal motivation adds purpose to this mission. His commitment to Ukraine began with a photograph, a haunting image of a pregnant woman injured during a conflict. It was a moment that spurred a question that changed the course of his work. How could someone with his skill set contribute meaningfully to a crisis unfolding in real-time? "Teaching leadership or writing books didn't seem enough. I realized that what Ukraine needed was real, structured, dependable capital," Thornton says. From that realization, B4P's role in Ukraine was born. Today, the organization is creating financial pathways to resilience and recovery, channeling global capital into underutilized markets with high upside. In fact, B4P has signed a formal Memorandum of Understanding with a key national Agency and has been appointed to lead a flagship renewable energy project, another indicator of the seriousness with which local stakeholders regard its work. Ultimately, for Thornton, Ukraine represents a convergence of moral responsibility and economic opportunity. Through Business for the Planet, he invites those curious about entering emerging markets through innovative models, whether institutional investors or humanitarian advocates, to look beyond crisis and toward recovery.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
IMF sees 'some progress' on Lebanon reforms, says external support needed
By Maya Gebeily BEIRUT (Reuters) -Lebanon has made progress on reforms needed to revive its economy but still has key steps to take and will need external funding on concessional terms, the International Monetary Fund said on Thursday after a week of meetings in Beirut. Lebanon's economy went into a tailspin in late 2019, prompted by decades of profligate spending by the country's ruling elite. Reforms required to access IMF funding were repeatedly derailed by political and private interests. Lebanon's new president and prime minister, both of whom took office in early 2025, pledged to prioritise reforms and secure an IMF financing agreement - but the country now faces additional needs with the widespread destruction and displacement caused by Israel's military campaign last year. "The authorities have made some progress recently, including the amendment of the Bank Secrecy Law and submission of a new bank resolution law to Parliament," the IMF's Lebanon mission chief Ramirez Rigo said in a written statement. Rigo said his mission held "productive discussions" with Lebanese officials, including on restoring the viability of the banking sector, fiscal and debt sustainability and enhancing anti-money laundering and terrorism financing measures. He said Lebanon's medium-term fiscal framework should support the restructuring of Eurobond debts, which Lebanon defaulted on in 2020, leading to a sovereign default on its $31 billion of outstanding international bonds. "Given Lebanon's substantial reconstruction needs, limited fiscal space and lack of capacity to borrow, the country will require significant support from external partners on highly concessional terms," the IMF statement said. The World Bank estimated Lebanon's recovery and reconstruction needs following Israel's military campaign at $11 billion. But the U.S. has said it opposes any reconstruction funds to Lebanon until Hezbollah - the Iran-backed Lebanese armed group that fought Israel last year - is disarmed.
Straits Times
5 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
IMF sees 'some progress' on Lebanon reforms, says external support needed
A view of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) logo at its headquarters in Washington, D.C., U.S., November 24, 2024. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier/File photo BEIRUT - Lebanon has made progress on reforms needed to revive its economy but still has key steps to take and will need external funding on concessional terms, the International Monetary Fund said on Thursday after a week of meetings in Beirut. Lebanon's economy went into a tailspin in late 2019, prompted by decades of profligate spending by the country's ruling elite. Reforms required to access IMF funding were repeatedly derailed by political and private interests. Lebanon's new president and prime minister, both of whom took office in early 2025, pledged to prioritise reforms and secure an IMF financing agreement - but the country now faces additional needs with the widespread destruction and displacement caused by Israel's military campaign last year. "The authorities have made some progress recently, including the amendment of the Bank Secrecy Law and submission of a new bank resolution law to Parliament," the IMF's Lebanon mission chief Ramirez Rigo said in a written statement. Rigo said his mission held "productive discussions" with Lebanese officials, including on restoring the viability of the banking sector, fiscal and debt sustainability and enhancing anti-money laundering and terrorism financing measures. He said Lebanon's medium-term fiscal framework should support the restructuring of Eurobond debts, which Lebanon defaulted on in 2020, leading to a sovereign default on its $31 billion of outstanding international bonds. "Given Lebanon's substantial reconstruction needs, limited fiscal space and lack of capacity to borrow, the country will require significant support from external partners on highly concessional terms," the IMF statement said. The World Bank estimated Lebanon's recovery and reconstruction needs following Israel's military campaign at $11 billion. But the U.S. has said it opposes any reconstruction funds to Lebanon until Hezbollah - the Iran-backed Lebanese armed group that fought Israel last year - is disarmed. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Star
28-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Kyrgyzstan places sovereign Eurobonds on international financial markets for first time
BISHKEK, May 28 (Xinhua) -- Kyrgyzstan has successfully completed its debut placement of sovereign Eurobonds on international financial markets in the amount of 700 million US dollars at 7.75 percent for a period of 5 years, the Kyrgyz Finance Ministry's press service said on Wednesday. Demand peaked at more than 2.1 billion US dollars. The final offering was three times oversubscribed. More than 100 international investors from the US, Europe, Asia and other countries took part in the placement, the report said. Kyrgyzstan considers the successful entry into the Eurobond market as an important step in strengthening the country's investment image, attracting long-term resources for the development of infrastructure, energy and increasing the sustainability of public finances, it said. The Finance Ministry said that the strong investor interest in Kyrgyzstan's bonds is a sign of growing confidence in the country's macroeconomic policy, the strength of its financial system and efforts by the president and government to ensure transparency and fiscal discipline and deepen international financial integration.
Jordan News
22-05-2025
- Business
- Jordan News
Jordan's Foreign Grants Drop by 46.2 Million Dinars in Q1 2025 - Jordan News
Foreign grants to Jordan reached 3.4 million dinars during the first quarter of 2025, a sharp decline compared to 49.6 million dinars during the same period last year, according to data from the Ministry of Finance. اضافة اعلان This marks a decrease of 46.2 million dinars, or 93.2%, compared to Q1 2024, as reported by Al Mamlaka. Despite the drop in disbursed grants, the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation secured new pledges exceeding $2 billion in April alone, for funding key development projects through grants and loans. According to a brief report on the achievements of government ministries and institutions in April, the Ministry of Planning signed funding agreements and received commitments totaling $2.1 billion from several partners, including: The World Bank The German Development Bank (KfW) The Dutch Embassy The Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development Rise in Domestic Revenues Meanwhile, domestic revenues increased by 150 million dinars in Q1 2025, reaching 2.16 billion dinars, up from 2.01 billion during the same period last year. Tax revenues accounted for 1.582 billion dinars, distributed as follows: General sales tax: 1.076 billion dinars Income and profit tax: 419 million dinars Real estate sales tax: 24 million dinars Trade and international transaction taxes: 63 million dinars Non-tax revenues amounted to 578 million dinars for the same period. Public Debt Update Jordan's gross public debt, including debt held by the Social Security Investment Fund (SSIF), rose to 118.4% of GDP by the end of Q1 2025. However: It drops to 91.5% when excluding SSIF-held debt And further declines to 90.9% after excluding the deposit at the Central Bank earmarked for repaying the Eurobond maturing in June These developments reflect ongoing fiscal challenges and a shift toward relying more on internal revenue sources and external loan commitments rather than direct grant disbursements.
