Volodymyr Groysman: Ukraine counts to see the revitalization of investment cooperation with the U.S. in the energy, transport and small and medium-sized businesses

Ukraine praises strategic partnership with the United States and intends to boost investment cooperation with the United States of America in the energy, small and medium businesses and transport sectors. This was announced by Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman during a meeting with the President of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) Ray Washburne. CEO of OPIC joined the agency in August 2017 and he visits Ukraine for the first time.

«Ukraine is undergoing the process of transformations today. We have overcome the economic collapse and have achieved a steady economic growth. We need to put into practice structural reforms in order to achieve a further strengthening and dynamic development. We are talking about a total reset of the state, and this requires investment. U.S. investments are of utmost importance for the country. We are in constant dialogue with the American Chamber of Commerce, with the Embassy of the United States, moreover we actively interact with them regarding the development of the business climate», the Prime Minister noted.

In turn, the President of the OPIC stressed that the Corporation has a great interest in implementing several projects in Ukraine at the same time, namely, the development of small and medium enterprises, cooperation with the state enterprise “National Nuclear Energy Generating Company “Energoatom”, the development of wind power technologies in the southern regions, in particular in Zaporizhia, as well as in modernization of the rolling stock of the JSC Ukrzaliznytsia. Particular attention is paid to projects in the port infrastructure sector and the organization of energy supplies, including coal from the USA.

«Small and medium business support projects have already been kicked off. Other initiatives are nearing its final stage», underlined Ray Washburne. He added that the financing of projects with Energoatom is at least $ 250 million, while wind energy projects is to the tune of  $ 400 million. "The United States wants to see Ukraine an economically strong, and developed country," claimed the President of the OPIC .

The Prime Minister thanked the American side and stressed that the current joint target is to "not disappoint either Ukrainian citizens or partners."

Background

During the six months of 2017, the trade turnover between Ukraine and the U.S. reached $ 2.5 billion. The volume of investments for the same period was $ 537 million. The Overseas Private Investment Corporation was established in 1971 and now is a self-sustaining U.S. Government agency that helps American businesses invest in emerging markets. The volume of operations of the corporation exceeded 150 billion dollars. In Ukraine, the OPIC has been operating since 1995, and over 20 projects have been implemented in such areas as agribusiness, telecommunications, hotel business, retail trade, weapons utilization, etc.