Involvement of the United Arab Emirates in energy saving initiatives in Ukraine, programs to support Ukrainian small and medium-sized businesses and internally displaced persons who were forced to flee the war: these issues were discussed during a meeting between First Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Economy of Ukraine Yuliia Svyrydenko and Minister of Climate Change and Environment of the UAE Mariam Almheiri.

“Last year, the Ukrainian Government launched a large-scale grant project to support small and medium-sized businesses, eRobota, which is in great demand among domestic entrepreneurs, especially now, in times of war. Ukraine invites the UAE to become our partner in this project and contribute to specialized funds that are used to support business in Ukraine. In particular, this includes microgrant programs for starting and developing one’s own business, as well as grants for processing companies. Grant programs for entrepreneurs are not only about boosting business, but also about creating hundreds of thousands of new jobs that Ukrainians need now,” said Yuliia Svyrydenko.

Another important problem for Ukraine caused by the war is almost 5 million officially registered internally displaced persons who were forced to flee the war zones to the central and western regions of the country. They need not only jobs but also housing.

“We discussed with our colleagues from the UAE the possibility of participating in a project to build a shelter town in one of the western regions of Ukraine for 1,000 women and children. Besides housing, medical care, and educational opportunities for children, there will be a psychological support program for those who need it. The state should provide shelter to people who were forced to leave their homes because of the war,” said Yuliia Svyrydenko.

In addition, the First Deputy Prime Minister said, the UAE representatives expressed their readiness to join energy saving initiatives in Ukraine. In particular, the program to replace incandescent light bulbs with energy-saving LED lamps, which was launched by the Government of Ukraine and the EU in February this year. The first batch of lamps from the UAE is due to arrive in Ukraine in the near future, and the UAE has offered to supply Ukraine with 5 million of these lamps.

The UAE has also confirmed its readiness to provide hygiene items for social and medical needs, 100 armored ambulances, and USD 100 million worth of humanitarian aid to Ukraine.