On Thursday, September 15, Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal held an online conversation with the President of the European Investment Bank, Werner Hoyer. The parties discussed the restoration of Ukraine and the support for small and medium-sized businesses in our country.

The Prime Minister thanked the EIB team for supporting Ukraine, in particular for allocating the first tranche of aid in the amount of EUR 500 million within the total package of EUR 1.59 billion: "This is of critical importance for financing the budget deficit and ensuring macroeconomic stability of our country."

Denys Shmyhal also highly appreciated the support provided by the European Investment Bank within the framework of joint projects to the tune of EUR 639 million.

"The funds were directed to the financing of priority social and humanitarian expenses," said the Head of the Government of Ukraine.

Denys Shmyhal and Werner Hoyer talked over the prospects and vision of the recovery of Ukraine and the EIB's participation in this process. As the Prime Minister noted, the main principles of the Lugano conference are the framework for the future Recovery Plan, and Ukraine is actively working with partners to create an appropriate medium- and long-term reconstruction platform.

"I am convinced that the rapid process of Ukraine's European integration and obtaining full membership will also improve cooperation with the EIB, because this is a good basis for the start of new projects of restoration, modernization and reform of our country," the Prime Minister noted and emphasized that at the same time some infrastructure facilities must be restored now. Ukraine needs USD 3.4 billion to cover such expenses this year.

Denys Shmyhal expressed hope that the European Investment Bank would participate in the financing of the reconstruction of Ukraine, as well as in the Government’s program of grant support for small and medium-sized businesses.

"Today, the state understands that large enterprises are under the threat of russian attacks. Some of them already have damaged or destroyed infrastructure, resulting into many people losing their jobs. Therefore, our goal is to quickly create a lot of workplaces, and we can see the implementation of this task in the development and creation of micro, small and medium-sized businesses," the Head of Government noted.

Werner Hoyer, for his part, during the conversation initiated the sending of the next mission of the European Investment Bank to Ukraine, during which inter alia the attention will be paid to this direction of cooperation.