On January 21, 2020, Minister of Infrastructure of Ukraine Vladyslav Kryklii met with Mr. Baher El-Hifnawi, Program Leader for the World Bank’s Infrastructure and Sustainable Development programs in Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine. The meeting was attended by representatives of the line departments of the Ministry of Infrastructure of Ukraine, the World Bank, JSC "Ukrzaliznytsya" and the Reform Support Team.

The sides discussed an issue of attracting international technical assistance for the reform of Ukrzaliznytsia and formation of a competitive market of railway services in Ukraine.

Vladyslav Kryklii briefed the World Bank representatives on the active work of the Ministry on the implementation of the Decree of the President of Ukraine of November 8, 2019 “On urgent measures for reform and strengthening of the state”. The set of measures envisages creation of conditions for functioning of the competitive market of railway transportation in Ukraine and improvement of management efficiency, enhancement of organizational and legal and economic bases of the market of railway transportation, updating quality and accessibility of rail transportation services.

The Minister stressed that the preparation for the initial public offering of Ukrzaliznytsia shares and the opening of the rail transportation market are encompassed in the action plan for the reform of railway transport approved by the Cabinet of Ministers on December 27, 2019.

Apart from that, the sides noted the importance of early adoption by the Parliament of the draft Law of Ukraine "On Railway Transport of Ukraine" No. 1196-1, which implements 7 directives and 4 regulations stipulated by the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement.

In turn, Mr. Baher El-Hifnawi emphasized importance of attracting international technical assistance for Ukrzaliznytsia reform, creating the conditions for developing a competitive environment in the rail market in line with the basic requirements of the EU legislation and best international experience.