Czech companies, especially those in the railway, construction, mining, energy and transport sectors, are already implementing projects in Ukraine and are actively seeking opportunities to expand their participation in recovery projects.

This was discussed during a meeting between Yuliia Svyrydenko, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of Ukraine, and Jozef Síkela, Minister of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic, on 12 July during her working visit to the Czech Republic.

“The Government will fully support Czech companies in opening their representative offices and production facilities in Ukraine. Importantly, Czech companies are increasingly willing to work in Ukraine. We already have a good example in Dnipropetrovsk region, which the Czech Republic has taken patronage of. There are 20 Czech companies operating in the region, which have invested USD 11.9 million in the Ukrainian economy. The Czech Government promotes the active entry of Czech companies into the Ukrainian market. In particular, the Czech Ministry of Industry and Trade provides financial support to Czech companies in obtaining contracts in Ukraine through the Ukrainian Fund established in the country. In addition, the limits for the Czech export credit agency EGAP have been increased, which now insures contracts of Czech companies worth up to EUR 5 million,” said Yuliia Svyrydenko.

The main issue on the agenda of the meeting was the restoration of the Ukrainian energy system, which has been severely damaged by systematic shelling by russia. The Czech side expressed its readiness to assist Ukraine in every way possible in restoring and protecting its energy capacities, in particular through the implementation of renewable energy projects.

The parties also discussed attracting investments, in particular through the Ukraine Investment Framework under the Ukraine Facility. The Czech Republic is interested in taking an active part in restoration projects under this instrument and is already preparing the relevant documents.

The ministers also discussed the possibilities of deepening trade relations between Ukraine and the Czech Republic.

“One of the urgent tasks of the Government of Ukraine is to help domestic producers enter foreign markets. We highly appreciate the Czech Republic’s position on removing barriers to trade in military and technical products between our countries. The Czech Republic is one of the few EU and NATO countries that have lifted all restrictions on the supply of products for Ukraine’s defence industry,” said Yuliia Svyrydenko.

She thanked for all the support the Czech Republic provides to Ukraine: from shelter for 600,000 Ukrainians displaced by the war to humanitarian and military assistance. Yuliia Svyrydenko also noted the Czech Republic’s support for the European Council’s decision to open negotiations on Ukraine’s EU membership.