• Українською
  • Statement by Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal at session of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine
    Communications Department of the Secretariat of the CMU, posted 23 May 2023 16:48

    Distinguished colleagues, fellow Ukrainians.

    Today, as it has been for the past 15 months, our major objective is to reinforce our army and defence. Therefore, the country must work. The country must be ready for all challenges.

    We have already embarked on active preparations for the new heating season. We are well aware that the upcoming spring-winter season will be challenging as well. The amount of repairs that need to be done is enormous, including the programme to protect energy facilities. Hence, yesterday, we convened a meeting of the Energy Headquarters to address the major challenges and recovery programmes. Another priority is to accumulate sufficient energy resources, as we did last year.

    Current gas reserves amount to 9.3 billion cubic metres. The goal is to reach 14.7 billion cubic metres by the beginning of the autumn-winter season. We are increasing production. We are working with partners to obtain additional resources.

    The occupation of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant remains a huge threat. russian terrorists continue to shell the infrastructure around the plant, which is why ZNPP was de-energised for the seventh time. Ukrenergo has now restored power to the plant, but enormous risks still remain. We are working with all partners to force russia to withdraw from ZNPP and create a demilitarised zone around the plant.

    Another focus of the Government's efforts is economic resilience. This year, we have already obtained USD 17 billion in aid from international partners. In April, the business activity expectations index has exceeded the equilibrium level for the first time in a year and a half. This indicates more or less positive expectations of entrepreneurs - to the extent possible in a full-scale war.

    For our part, we are stepping up our business support programmes. Concessional loans at 5-7-9, non-refundable eRobota grants, portfolio guarantees. Under the Affordable Loans at 5-7-9 programme, UAH 109 billion in loans have been issued during the full-scale war, including UAH 1.5 billion over the past week. However, under the portfolio guarantee programme, loans worth almost UAH 4 billion were disbursed in April alone. Grants within the eRobota framework have entailed the creation of more than 4,000 new businesses. We have expanded the list of areas for using microgrant funds and launched a grant programme for veterans.

    We have been working to improve logistics, as it remains one of the main challenges for Ukrainian businesses. The eCherha project for trucks has already proved its effectiveness. Almost 25,000 border crossings have been facilitated thanks to this clear and transparent tool.

    We prolong the support for agrarian sector. Despite all the difficulties, more than 10 million hectares of agricultural land have already been sown. In total, we expect to sow more than 13 million hectares this year. This fully satisfies the domestic demand of our market and leaves a significant space for exports and, accordingly, provides support for the economy.

    One more challenge for farmers and the entire country is mine danger. Mine clearance has been identified as one of our key priorities for this year. We have established a special responsible body. We are attracting funds, equipment and technologies to make the process move faster. We have already managed to survey 110,000 hectares and detect more than 600,000 explosive items. Demining, especially in the frontline regions, made it possible to carry out sowing and return life to communities.

    We support regions and communities that have been most affected by the war. Today we are to make a decision on the distribution of additional subventions for the regions. UAH 588 million will be allocated to the budgets of the Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Kyiv, Odesa, Poltava and Kharkiv regions to implement 26 projects this year under the joint emergency program with the European Investment Bank. These 26 projects are aimed at restoring hospitals, educational institutions, CASPs, community and cultural centres.

    We keep working for a strong Ukraine that is winning and changing for the better right now.

    Thank you for your attention. Glory to Ukraine!

    Statement by Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal at session of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine