Mine clearance and access to finance for businesses are crucial tasks of the state in the issue of Ukraine's recovery, says Yuliia Svyrydenko

The Government's priorities for this year include demining, housing reconstruction and economic recovery through lending programs and grant support programs. Ukraine needs working businesses and jobs. Yuliia Svyrydenko, First Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine and Minister of Economy of Ukraine, discussed practical steps of the Government to restore the regions, the needs of the population and businesses during a meeting with Vitaliy Kim, Head of Mykolaiv Regional State Administration, and Oleksandr Prokudin, Head of Kherson Regional State Administration, on April 6.

"Currently, demining is a key issue in Mykolaiv and Kherson regions. We are currently working to simplify access to this market for demining operators by speeding up the review of applications, while taking into account the high level of quality of these works. In addition, we are negotiating the production of the necessary equipment and machinery in Ukraine, and we are also considering the purchase of the necessary equipment abroad - all to make our demining operators more powerful," said Yuliia Svyrydenko.

She added that an open market of operators would speed up the process of solving state tasks and regulate the market. To do this, the Government will change legislation, remove barriers and create additional incentives for companies.

During the meeting, the parties addressed the issue of financial support for the resumption of operations or business development. Currently, the available financial instruments include the Export Credit Agency, the 5-7-9 affordable lending program, and grant programs for processing and starting a business. The Government maintains an ongoing dialogue with entrepreneurs from different regions and records their needs and suggestions for new support instruments.

It also takes into account the situation of regions located in frontline areas or de-occupied territories that need to restore businesses and return to economic life. For example, Oschadbank has expressed its readiness to open a dialogue on lending to businesses located fifty kilometers from the front line, provided that the necessary conditions are organized by the state.

Another important issue is the restoration of electricity and water supply, rebuilding of infrastructure, and creation or renewal of workplaces. It is also important to create the necessary infrastructure and economic base for people to return home and to their businesses. The interlocutors also discussed the practical aspects of implementing the procedure for determining the damage and losses caused by the aggressor state.