Prime Minister: Due to arrangements with Germany, EUR 150 million have to be directed to support small and medium-sized businesses

During a meeting with the Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany Angela Merkel, the Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal thanked for the agreement on the redistribution of the Untied Loan Finance (ULF) of the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany.

"Last year, it was agreed to redirect the unused part of the Untied Loan Finance of the Government of Germany in the amount of EUR 150 million to support small and medium-sized businesses. We are developing a program to reduce the cost of loans for SMEs "Affordable Loans at 5-7-9%." It has proved its paramount success, and thousands of small entrepreneurs have already used it to the tune of over EUR 2 billion," stressed Denys Shmyhal.

The Head of the Ukrainian Government also thanked Germany for its participation in the launch of the international COVAX initiative, as well as for the direct transfer of 1.5 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to Ukraine.

"Currently, Ukraine has a sufficient amount of vaccines for everyone. We get almost 1 million vaccinations a week and plan to vaccinate at least half of the adult population by the end of the year to protect countries from further outbreaks," said the Prime Minister.

Moreover, Denys Shmyhal emphasized that Ukraine appreciates Germany's readiness to host the 2023 Reform Conference.

In turn, Angela Merkel assured that Germany would prolong to support reforms in Ukraine.