Ukraine is eager to develop mutually beneficial cooperation with the United States in transport and investment sectors.

Minister of Infrastructure of Ukraine Vladyslav Kryklii stressed during a working meeting with the Chargé d'Affaires of the United States Embassy in Ukraine Kristina Kvien today, December 11.

The parties discussed the prospects of cooperation between the two countries in the field of infrastructure and transport. The event was also attended by First Deputy Minister of Infrastructure Dmytro Abramovych, representatives of the Embassy and the Ministry of Infrastructure.

"We are interested in developing mutually beneficial Ukrainian-American cooperation in the field of transport and investment. And we do everything possible to improve the investment attractiveness of Ukraine as a state. In the medium term, it is planned to attract more than USD 9 billion in private investment for the rehabilitation and maintenance of more than 4,500 km of state roads. In addition, we will continue to implement promising investment projects in the maritime industry, aviation and railways," said Vladyslav Kryklii.

The Head of the Ministry shared the first successes of the agency in the implementation of large-scale public-private partnership projects - the transfer to the concession to the seaports of Olvia and Kherson with a total amount of about USD 134 million. Next in line are the concessions of the railway and ferry complex as well as the first and container terminals of the port of Chornomorsk, the passenger complex in the port of Odesa, as well as the sea trade ports in Berdiansk and Izmail.

"We strive to prepare and structure concession projects in accordance with international best practice and in strict accordance with the rules. This will improve Ukraine's investment attractiveness, and investors will gain confidence in their decisions on whether to participate in bidding and be our strategic long-term partners," said Vladyslav Kryklii.

He also announced the recent approval by the Verkhovna Rada of the law on inland water transport, which is expected for the entire industry, thereby allowing the start of the reform of river transport.

Vladyslav Kryklii told the American side about the Ministry's plans to upgrade Ukrzaliznytsia's rolling stock and about the beginning of the process of selecting an electric locomotive manufacturer for UZ. According to him, the priority for the Ukrainian Government is the implementation of a project to create infrastructure for high-speed railway traffic in Ukraine. A number of foreign companies, including from China, Korea, Italy and France, have already expressed interest in the project. And the Ukrainian side will be glad to see American business representatives among them.

The Minister noted the interest of the Ukrainian side in expanding geographical flights from the United States and expressed hope to sign a Common Aviation Area Agreement with the EU in the near future. In addition, he stressed Ukraine's desire to introduce intelligent transport systems, which are very important for improving transport safety and preventing possible accidents, traffic monitoring and effective traffic flows management.