The Government has earmarked at least UAH 1,600,000,000 for Volyn region producers as part of the state policy 'Made in Ukraine' initiated by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Entrepreneurs can receive funding by joining well-known business support programmes such as Affordable Loans at 5-7-9% or grants for processing, a state subvention for the purchase of Ukrainian-made buses, as well as new or renewed programmes, including a compensation programme for Ukrainian-made agricultural machinery, the development of industrial parks or support for projects with significant investments.

This was announced by Yuliia Svyrydenko, First Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine, Minister of Economy of Ukraine, during a meeting with the region's business chaired by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

"UAH 1,600,000,000 is not a limit for Volyn producers. The state is willing to invest even more in the region's businesses if there is demand for the Made in Ukraine programme. In total, we have provided UAH 45,000,000,000 in the budget for the implementation of the policy. This is the financial resource that is already helping local businesses address urgent needs and create new opportunities. And there is demand for these opportunities. For example, over the two years of the full-scale invasion, entrepreneurs in the region have signed contracts for UAH 6,000,000,000 under the Affordable Loans at 5-7-9% programme, received UAH 95,000,000 in grants, of which UAH 49,100,000 were grants for recycling," said Yuliia Svyrydenko.

The Minister of Economy also presented the key government support programmes united under the 'Made in Ukraine' policy. All of them are divided into three areas: the development of Ukrainian production by stimulating demand for Ukrainian goods, investments in the real sector, and increasing non-resource exports.

The demand for Ukrainian products is primarily driven by localisation in public procurement. In 2024, there must be at least 20% of Ukrainian content for a manufacturer to be allowed to participate in a tender for the purchase of urban and railway transport, municipal equipment, and power engineering products.

Ukrainian farmers have also started receiving compensation for the purchase of Ukrainian-made agricultural machinery, including in Volyn. More than 300 farmers will receive the first UAH 100,000,000 in compensation.

The School Bus programme has also been launched. UAH 20,500,000 of state subvention has been allocated for the purchase of school transport for Volyn region. Buses will be purchased on the basis of co-financing with communities. The region has a production facility for the relevant equipment.

Some of the programmes under Made in Ukraine have been adjusted to help businesses overcome various crises, including the energy crisis.

To this end, the Affordable Loans at 5-7-9% programme was expanded, and now businesses can buy and install energy equipment with credit funds. Such a loan can be obtained from the partner banks of the Entrepreneurship Development Fund. The maximum amount is up to UAH 150,000,000 and the loan term is up to 10 years.

In addition, 19 largest banks signed a memorandum on lending for energy infrastructure rehabilitation projects. The loan amount is from EUR 500,000 to EUR 25,000,000. The loan term is up to 5-7 years.

The Parliament also supported the abolition of duties and VAT on imports of energy equipment. The President has already signed the relevant law. The regulatory framework is currently being prepared to make it operational.

Businesses that already have their own power generation can join the Active Consumer programme and sell excess electricity to the grid.

The Government has also simplified the procedures for installing its own generation and procurement of energy equipment for public customers.

An information campaign to support domestic producers is also underway. More than 20 regional entrepreneurs have already joined the campaign and are labelling their products with the Made in Ukraine logo. The Government, in turn, is promoting goods with such labelling among the population to make Ukrainian products the first choice.

Finally, Yuliia Svyrydenko said that a Made in Ukraine office for small and microbusinesses will soon be opened at the Lutsk City Employment Centre. It is also planned to open offices in Kovel, Volodymyr and Kamin-Kashyrskyi.