Ukraine strives to ensure that potential investors feel confident, comfortable and protected in our country, says Denys Shmyhal at the business forum

On December 8, the Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal and Prime Minister of Croatia Andrej Plenković opened the Ukrainian-Croatian business forum in Kyiv.

"Holding today's event is an extremely important message and tool to stimulate economic cooperation between Ukraine and Croatia. It also gives impetus to the development of contacts between businesses and our chambers of commerce and industry," said Denys Shmyhal.

According to the Head of the Ukrainian Government, Ukraine wants potential investors to feel confident, comfortable and protected in our country. To this end, Ukraine has intensified the process of economic transformation, market reforms and reducing the role of the state in economic activity.

"Last year we stepped up the privatization of state-owned enterprises. To date, there are a number of successful examples. Privatization takes place through open auctions, and I invite investors from Croatia to participate in the privatization process. This means developing of our economy and is an important reform on the path to European integration," said the Prime Minister of Ukraine.

Denys Shmyhal noted that in 2020-2021 the state had received UAH 8.1 billion from privatization, while in 2013-2019 this sum had been UAH 6.5 billion.

According to the Head of the Ukrainian Government, Ukraine has also activated the instrument of public-private partnership. In particular, there are examples of successful port concessions, as well as the construction of concession highways. Denys Shmyhal added that Croatia can become a vivid example for Ukraine in the construction of autobahns.

"Active preparation and signing of agreements on the distribution of products in the gas industry continues. Our next step is deals on the distribution of products in the field of critical raw materials. Today, Ukraine is a member of the Critical Raw Materials Alliance of the European Union. We also invite in this field those investors who are interested in the development of mining and processing," said the Prime Minister of Ukraine.

Another important project that promotes the development of investment infrastructure, as Denys Shmyhal noted, is the network of industrial parks. According to him, currently Ukraine has created a network of 52 industrial parks and will prolong vigorous activity in this area.

"The state will also invest in energy efficiency measures. According to the program initiated by the President of Ukraine, thermal modernization of 5,000 apartment buildings is planned for next year," the Head of the Government of Ukraine said.

Denys Shmyhal also stressed on the active digitalization of the public sphere and the simplification of administrative services.

"The Ukrainian Government prioritizes the European integration of our country and, accordingly, cooperation with the countries of the European Union. We are interested in introducing the best European rules that will allow foreign companies to invest profitably and confidently in Ukraine," the Prime Minister of Ukraine concluded.

The Prime Minister of Croatia Andrej Plenković said during the forum that today the representatives of Croatian business can see the potential of Ukraine and the intensity of bilateral relations. He added that entrepreneurs observe how the Ukrainian Government has accelerated reforms and regulated the legal system. According to him, this guarantees the security and reliability of their investments.