International Bank for Reconstruction and Development to provide USD 50 million to restore logistics

Today, on February 10, Oleksandr Kubrakov, Deputy Prime Minister for Recovery of Ukraine and Minister of Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development, and Arup Banerji, World Bank Regional Director for Eastern Europe, signed a Grant Agreement between Ukraine and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) on the project The Repairing Essential Logistics Infrastructure and Network Connectivity (RELINC).

The first USD 50 million of grant funds will be allocated to meet the critical needs of the State Agency for Infrastructure Recovery and Development of Ukraine and SE Ukrzaliznytsia.

The total cost of the project is almost USD 600 million, of which USD 500 million is to be provided by the IBRD, and the remaining funds are to be raised through donor grants to be provided through the Ukraine Relief, Recovery and Reconstruction and Reform Trust Fund (URTF) and other trust funds.

"The signing of this Grant Agreement will make it possible to receive a financial contribution of USD 50 million from the multi-donor trust fund for assistance, recovery, reconstruction, and reforms in Ukraine, which is managed by the IBRD.

This agreement will enable us to finance the purchase of modular road bridges and materials for urgent road repairs. The funds will be used to manufacture fitting platforms to increase container traffic and purchase materials and equipment to repair important railway bridges.

I am grateful to our international partners for their support. The project implementation will help ensure uninterrupted logistics for the country's humanitarian and logistics needs," commented Oleksandr Kubrakov.

The RELINC project is aimed at rapid restoration and improvement of transport networks necessary for the provision of humanitarian aid, support of Ukrainian exports and overall development of logistics infrastructure on the borders of Ukraine and the EU.

In addition, RELINC provides assistance in the implementation of key reforms necessary to increase Ukraine's readiness to implement large-scale and complex recovery programs. This primarily includes the introduction of anti-corruption tools, digitalization of the recovery process, and improved donor relations.

The project will be managed and administered by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS).

This office provides services in the areas of procurement, construction and project implementation. In particular, the organization specializes in post-war reconstruction or infrastructure restoration after natural disasters projects. UNOPS operates in more than 80 countries, successfully implementing thousands of projects every year. In particular, such projects are characterized by a high level of transparency and accountability.

The IBRD is an international financial institution that is part of the World Bank Group. Its members are 189 countries.