The Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) is interested in expanding its cooperation with Ukraine. In particular, the Agency will consider the possibility of participating in humanitarian demining projects, as well as co-financing projects in various fields with international financial organisations.

This was discussed during a meeting of Deputy Ministers of Economy Volodymyr Kuzio and Ihor Bezkaravaynyi with the AECID delegation in Kyiv, headed by AECID Director Antón Leis García and attended by Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Spain to Ukraine Ricardo López-Aranda Jagu.

According to Ihor Bezkaravaynyi, the Ukrainian Government is currently working on creating a demining market. The key element of the market - compensation to farmers who have purchased the service of demining their land - has already been launched and there are currently 90 applications from farmers who want to receive assistance from the State. Other important areas in mine action are the search for and implementation of innovative solutions in mine action, and the organisation of land clearance based on comprehensive criteria, taking into account social, economic (including agriculture), environmental and other related factors.

‘Today, a broad international coalition has been created in the field of mine action in Ukraine - countries, international organisations, donors and manufacturers are involved in addressing various issues. We are working on expanding our cooperation with partners and have proposals in various areas of expertise. We have projects related to data innovation that they can join. We encourage stronger cooperation with Ukrainian manufacturers and mine action operators, which will accelerate the demining of Ukrainian land,’ said Deputy Minister of Economy Ihor Bezkaravaynyi.

Another important topic of discussion was cooperation with AECID in the field of recovery, investment attraction, and participation in supporting small and medium-sized business development programmes.

Currently, the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation is already operating in Ukraine. In particular, it is working to support the resilience of the private sector and the country's vital economic infrastructure through the Ukrainian banking system and private investment. For this purpose, the Agency cooperates with the International Finance Corporation of the World Bank Group (IFC). AECID also supports projects to strengthen energy resilience in schools and educational centres in Ukraine that have been severely affected by russia's military aggression and implements a number of other humanitarian projects.

According to Deputy Minister of Economy Volodymyr Kuzio, Ukraine is interested in attracting investments into the economy and strengthening cooperation between Ukrainian and Spanish businesses. In turn, Spanish businesses are showing interest in working in Ukraine. In particular, a month ago, a Ukrainian-Spanish business forum was held with the participation of representatives of more than two dozen major Spanish companies.

‘We have now prepared an Investment Guide that provides an overview of Ukraine's investment landscape, an analysis of priority sectors such as energy, infrastructure, agriculture, green metallurgy, pharmaceuticals, critical materials and IT. In addition, the guide offers investors 95 investment projects with a total value of USD 27 billion. The Guide will help investors navigate the opportunities offered by Ukraine,’ said Deputy Minister of Economy Volodymyr Kuzio.

According to him, the Ministry of Economy will further provide the information investors need to make investment decisions and facilitate contacts between foreign and domestic companies.

One of the key issues when businesses decide to invest in Ukraine or cooperate with Ukrainian companies is the issue of investment protection. As noted during the meeting, the Spanish government is currently offering EUR 30 million to insure exports to Ukraine, which creates additional opportunities for intensifying cooperation.

During the meeting, the parties also discussed the possibility of involving AECID, COFIDES and the Spanish export credit agency CESCE in financing projects in Ukraine and supporting SMEs, independently and in partnership with international financial institutions. As noted by the agency's representatives, AECID, as a development agency, is willing to co-finance projects in the fields of engineering, energy, transport, equipment supply, and more, together with IFIs.

Background information

The Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation is a Spanish autonomous agency responsible for managing public policy on international development cooperation. The Agency is responsible for the development, implementation and management of development cooperation projects and programmes, both directly, using its own resources, and in cooperation with other national and international bodies and non-governmental organisations.

In Ukraine, AECID has implemented and is implementing a number of projects. In particular, Spain, through AECID, launched an unprecedented humanitarian package totalling more than EUR 55 million in 2022-2023. AECID supported the Ukrainian system of mother and child hospitals by purchasing 30 mobile premature baby incubators.