Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman together with the Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine (NSDCU) Oleksandr Turchynov introduced the new Chairman of the State Space Agency of Ukraine (SSAU) Pavlo Degtiarenko. The new Chairman of the Agency became the winner of an open recruitment competition.

While introducing the new leader of the SSAU, Volodymyr Groysman highlighted that the key task of the new Chairman is to shape a strategy for the development of the space industry, taking into account the personnel and technological potential of Ukraine.

He urged the SSAU to work closely with the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine in order to effectively address all challenges in the field of national security and defense and added the Government is keen on finding the necessary resources for proper financing of the space industry on the basis of trust and transparency, when each invested hryvnia is used effectively.

«We have technology, we have the best human resources capacity, a serious material and technical base that needs to be updated and improved. We have a well-recognized world position in the space industry, thus today we need to have an effective management of the industry as well as to ensure its withdrawal from the crisis. We need to regain the glory of our success, and for this it is of paramount importance to establish a space management system and companies that are part of this area. The country expects from you high-quality professional activities, and we need to expand the horizons of planning, so that we can systematically revive our missile and space leadership», stressed the Head of Government.

The said statement issued by the Prime Minister was also supported by the Secretary of the NSDCU Oleksandr Turchynov. He counts on effective cooperation with the Agency regarding the development of the space industry and the implementation of powerful defense programs that will attract high technology seek to ensure the country's security. Particular attention is paid to solving the problems of the industry, especially of loss-making enterprises, and the introduction of mechanisms for attracting investments. Hence, the initial step in this direction could be the Government's policy towards the creation of line group of corporations and research and production associations.

Apart from that, Oleksandr Turchynov accentuated that the role of the SSAU should be changed today. The agency should transform from an intermediary between the state budget and industry enterprises into a powerful project institution. «We are proud of our cosmic heritage, thus we should be proud of our cosmic present and future, and this should be the main work of our space industry», underlined the Secretary of the NSDCU.

In turn, the newly appointed Chairman of the State Space Agency of Ukraine, Pavlo Degtiarenko assured that he will do his utmost to contribute to the development of the industry in every possible way. "We have a great deal of work that must be accomplished: the development of tactical and strategic actions to overcome the challenges now facing both the industry and the agency so that Ukraine retains and strengthens its presence in the global rocket-and-space technology market ", he urged.