Prime Minister and the EBRD President determine bilateral cooperation agenda

Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman on Monday had a meeting with President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development Sir Suma Chakrabarti. The parties discussed and agreed on the future collaboration agenda.

"The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is our financial partner and an extremely important investor for Ukraine. We deeply appreciate the cooperation with you,” said Volodymyr Groysman. “The Government is willing to deepen cooperation with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. We have a number of programs that are implemented together. I think that today's meeting will be another impetus for the enhancing of this cooperation".

The Prime Minister thanked the EBRD for the practical work connected with the sliding into place of the arch shielding radioactive waste over the Ukryttia (Shelter) facility. The Government of Ukraine highly appreciates the activities of the EBRD administrating the Chernobyl Shelter Fund and Nuclear Safety Account, he said.

During the meeting the parties agreed to unite efforts in the privatization of state enterprises in Ukraine, particularly the Odessa Portside Plant, as well as in cooperation in the reform of state-owned enterprises.

In this regard Volodymyr Groysman stressed that the Government is working on reforming the governance of SOEs that require improvement.

"Corporatization, privatization, new quality management and control of the property, which will remain in the rental relations are the four objectives we must accomplish. We have progress along these areas," said the Head of Ukrainian Government.

EBRD President Sir Suma Chakrabarti commended the Government's efforts in carrying out important and tangible reforms taking place in Ukraine, in particular in the macroeconomic sphere, the reform of the banking system, the introduction of e-public procurement system ProZorro and e-asset declarations, the extension of cooperation with the International Monetary Fund, the introduction of market gas price, Naftogaz corporate governance reform, the continuation of privatization process.

"The progress is obvious,” said Sir Suma Chakrabarti. “Ukraine is a very important partner for the EBRD. We are trying to support both the reforms in Ukraine, and investment in Ukraine".

He told that Ukraine is the second country by the amount of EBRD investments. In 2016 the Bank’s investment volumes for Ukraine make up EUR 400 million, and next year this amount can be increased. In particular, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is planning to pay special attention to the reforms in the ministries and departments, in particular, in order to strengthen and develop their institutional capacity.