Government expects from international financial institutions up to $ 3 billion of investments into the Ukrainian economy this year
“We expect in the current
year to obtain from the EBRD, the European Investment Bank and other
international financial institutions up to $ 3 billion as investments in the
Ukrainian economy", stressed Prime Minister of Ukraine Arseniy Yatsenyuk
on Tuesday, April 28, at a press briefing during the International Support for
Ukraine conference in Kyiv.
He emphasized that
the main thing for Ukraine now is de-escalation of the situation in eastern
Ukraine and get rid of the Russian military presence": "We must
frankly say that to attract a private investor into the country that is in the
middle of war with a nuclear state – the Russian Federation - is very
difficult. And Putin does it purposefully to prevent foreign investors coming
to Ukraine".
"We realize that not everybody in the EU and the world supports an
idea of supplying defensive weapons to Ukraine. I want to emphasize for the
defensive, not offensive operations. And if we can't have military support on our
territory, we ask about certain business support. It will be another protective
mechanism against the Russian aggression", stressed Arseniy Yatsenyuk.
Moreover, the Prime Minister reminded that a lion’s share of financial
support Ukraine receives make up loans: "With low-interest rate, long-term
loans – but these are the loans we should pay back to our creditors."
In general, reminded Arseniy Yatsenyuk, Ukraine has received $ 17.5
billion from the IMF, $ 7.5 billion from other international partners. In
addition, Ukraine might receive $ 15 billion as a result of debt restructuring.
"We expect that
lenders will be very ready to cooperate", stressed the Prime Minister.
According to him, it
is envisaged by the cooperation programme with the International Monetary Fund.
"We have already
made first step in the restructuring of debt by one of the largest Ukrainian
banks. So we are resolute to reach this agreement," accentuated Yatsenyuk.
The Prime Minister
noted that the International Conference gathered over 500 participants from over
50 countries.
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The objectives of
the conference, in his words, include "to sum
up the results of reforms in Ukraine, to determine priority goals for Ukraine
to achieve in synergy with the western partners, as well as to prepare for
future joint meetings both in Ukraine and abroad". The current
conference in Kyiv is the first step. There were planned investment
conferences in the USA and Germany, with an aim to attract capital
exclusively in the shape of private investment. In addition, it is
due Kyiv security conference, "with the focus on de-escalation of the
situation and fight against the Russian aggression". "At the end of
this year we and our western partners are planning to hold a major investment
conference in order to summarize the reforms and to provide us with a roadmap
which additional financial resource Ukraine can draw", stressed Arseniy Yatsenyuk. The Prime Minister
also emphasized the importance of "a very clear positive assessment” of
reforms in Ukraine, by the European Commission during yesterday's
Ukraine - EU Summit in Kyiv, which was reflected in the decision of the
summit. |