Volodymyr Groysman urges the need of creating fully integrated production in aerospace and defence industries

Ukraine has successfully introduced the policy of import substitution, and should prolong the process of creating a full production cycle in aircraft engneering and defense industry. This was stated by Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman during a meeting dedicated to aerospace industry at PJSC "FED" in Kharkiv.

"We have achieved success in import substitution process. We used to be traditionally tied to the economy, including that of the Russian Federation, in particular in aircraft manufacture, defense industry. Today we can boast with import-substituting production. At large, it includes the largest share of production manufactured by enterprises in Ukraine. What we lack, we can import to Ukraine from European countries. But our challenge is to ensure 100% production - a complete production cycle without dependence on imports", said the Prime Minister.

Ukrainian enterprises are entering European and global markets, said the Head of Government, giving an example of the Malyshev Plant and PJSC "FED", which he visited in Kharkiv. Such plans for international cooperation indicate that the potential of Ukraine in this sphere is extremely high, noted the Head of the Government.

"We are the country that is capable of building our own planes, and not all countries have this opportunity”, said the Head of Government. Today, we have the know-how and technologies – all that is necessary to make these products competitive. The most important thing is that we now have advanced technologies, which is the basis of our economic development as well".

In this regard the Head of Government reminded that in the 4th quarter of 2016, Ukraine's GDP had grown by 4.7%. This is a good signal of the revitalization of production, creating more jobs for Ukrainian citizens and increasing their wages.

In order to ensure economic strength and stability, it is vital to remove all artificial barriers retarding economic development, and make the decision, notably aimed to spur the production of high-tech products, assures the Prime Minister.

Volodymyr Groysman reminded that on 29 November 2016, during his visit to SE Antonov Company he had summoned a meeting to discuss possible ways of development of Ukrainian aircraft industry. The participants agreed to elaborate the program of revival of the Ukrainian aircraft industry.

"The domain of aircraft building, aeronautical engineering is competitive. Therefore, we must provide a quality environment to stimulate development of domestic enterprises", he stressed.

Attendees of the meeting with participation of First Vice Prime Minister - Minister of Economic Development and Trade of Ukraine Stepan Kubiv and Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Kistion discussed propositions of the working group on how to revitalize the aviation industry and necessary decisions of the Government.