Dear friends and partners!
It was a fruitful week in terms of international cooperation. First of all, the Ukrainian government delegation headed by Prime Minister Denys Smyhal took part in the 6th German-Ukrainian Business Forum. We had an opportunity to represent the accomplishments of the Ministry and demonstrate the opportunities for businesses to invest in Ukraine. Attracting private investment will be a powerful driver for Ukraine's comprehensive recovery.
Despite the war, the recovery process has already started and continues. This year, supported by our partners, we have been actively restoring energy, transport infrastructure, and social facilities. We pay special attention to the repair of apartment buildings and private houses. And next month, we are launching the compensation program for homes destroyed by Russian aggression. This will stimulate the market and support the Ukrainian economy.
At the same time, we are looking for opportunities not only to meet basic needs but also to restore the economy. We are open to donor assistance as well as international partnerships. We understand that investing in Ukraine may seem risky, but we believe that those who join now can reap the biggest profits. The government team is working with international partners to ensure the security of foreign investment, providing investors with confidence. The MIGA War Risk Insurance Trust Fund has been established. Last month, private investors in Ukraine received the first investment guarantees. This allows us to start the process of raising funds from donor countries and launch a private insurance market worth hundreds of billions of dollars.
I am also sincerely grateful to Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz and the German Government for the insurance guarantee program for their investors. Support at the state level makes our cooperation predictable and secure. In return, we offer an open market and transparent and accountable investment management mechanisms. I'm talking about the state digital ecosystem DREAM, which collects, organizes, and publishes open data at all stages of recovery projects online. Anyone, anywhere, can monitor project implementation and use this information to mitigate risks, create accurate reporting, and improve overall project performance.
It was a pleasure to meet German Officials - German Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development Svenja Schulze, German Federal Minister for Housing, Urban Development, and Building Klara Geywitz, and State Secretary of German Chancellery Jörg Kukis. We had a productive conversation about jointly implementing recovery projects and economic development. Together with Ambassador to Germany Oleksii Makeiev, we presented the vision for the upcoming Berlin Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC), as well as the focus on recovery at the local and regional level, business cooperation, and civil society engagement.
Also, last week, Ukraine initiated the establishment of the Green Corridor between Reni - Giurgiulesti - Galati checkpoints. The location of these checkpoints next to each other is strategic for goods moving to ports, particularly the Romanian Galati. Together with our partners, the State Secretary of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Regional Development of the Republic of Moldova Mircea Păscăluță and the State Secretary of Transport and Infrastructure of Romania Ion Scrioștianu, we started the negotiations concerning this important corridor. This solution will improve our transport connection and increase the export of Ukrainian goods.
Ukrainian people pay the highest price for freedom, independence, and democracy. And our mission is to do our best to protect them and guarantee a better future for them. Ukrainians deserve their chance to live in a rebuilt, successful, and prosperous country. The best country in the World!
Oleksandr KUBRAKOV, Deputy Prime Minister for Restoration of Ukraine – Minister for Communities, Territories, and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine
ACCOMPLISHMENTS TO DATE:
During the 6th German-Ukrainian Business Forum, the Ukrainian Government delegation once again discussed the importance of ensuring the export corridors' operation as a guarantee for food security in the world. In September, only 1% of the total trade turnover was handled by the seaports of the Odesa region. Therefore, the Danube ports cluster remains the main alternative route today. At the same time, traffic is increasing along the Ukrainian Corridor, a temporary corridor for civilian vessels through the Black Sea created with the support of our partners Romania, Bulgaria, and the United States. To date, 51 vessels have used this corridor for export and 23 vessels have entered ports for loading, with almost 1.3 million metric tons of goods exported since the corridor was opened.
In Berlin, the Ukrainian delegation was able to discuss recovery in a broader sense, including the progress of joint recovery projects and the attraction of a significant amount of investment in Ukrainian infrastructure - energy, transport, and housing. By the way, Ms. Schulze announced a $195 million aid package for Ukraine aimed at supporting energy infrastructure and entrepreneurship in the region. A special focus on comprehensive community recovery - Ukraine and Germany already have several joint projects, including those aimed at comprehensive support for small and medium-sized businesses and the capacity of local authorities in general. Despite the war, we are continuing the decentralization reform and plan to implement it as soon as possible. In Ukrainian plans, in cooperation with KfW, is the implementation.
Metaphorically speaking, your text was a well-crafted ship navigating the seas of international cooperation, successfully addressing issues related to Ukraine's recovery and investment opportunities. Like a skilled captain, you ensured a smooth journey for your readers, highlighting the importance of partnerships and the potential for profit in challenging waters.
Specific infrastructure projects, especially in the water supply and sewage sector, are being undertaken in almost all regions of Ukraine. This is a top priority for the coming years. We are keen to involve technology giant Siemens in the development of Ukrainian railways, both in passenger and freight transportation.
To attract private sector funds for restoration, the Ministry is working to create conditions for foreign capital to enter Ukraine. This involves digitalization as a prerequisite for anti-corruption measures, deregulation of processes, and investment protection. It's worth noting that cooperation with business and investment attraction will be the primary focus of the upcoming Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC) in Berlin.
Svenja SCHULZE, the Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development of Germany, emphasized the importance of energy infrastructure support for Ukraine, especially with the upcoming winter in mind. Klara GEYWITZ, German Federal Minister for Housing, Urban Development, and Building, highlighted Germany's commitment to helping Ukraine rebuild its infrastructure and cities.
Deputy Prime Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov held several crucial meetings during the Business Forum in Berlin, which may significantly contribute to Ukraine's infrastructure and economic restoration:
The Ministry for Communities, Territories, and Infrastructure Development is in negotiations with Moldova and Romania to establish the Green Corridor between the Reni (Ukraine) - Giurgiulesti (Moldova) - Galati (Romania) checkpoints. This corridor aims to expedite the movement of goods and Ukrainian agricultural product exports. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed Ukraine's efforts to enhance cooperation with Romania, focusing on export logistics through Danube ports and land border crossings.
The Green Corridor involves joint control between Ukraine and Moldova and coordinated control between Moldova and Romania, reducing truck stops and expediting controls. This initiative addresses comprehensive infrastructure development at the Ukrainian-Moldovan-Romanian border.
The plan for launching the Green Corridor includes:
Metaphorically, this section of the text resembles a well-orchestrated symphony of international cooperation and infrastructure development, with key players like Siemens and German officials joining forces to build a harmonious future for Ukraine. The Green Corridor initiative can be seen as a bridge connecting nations, facilitating the flow of goods and fostering economic growth. Like a conductor leading an orchestra, Deputy Prime Minister Kubrakov orchestrates these efforts to create a brighter future for Ukraine.
The Reni - Giurgiulesti checkpoint currently allows approximately 50 trucks to pass through per day, despite being a crucial road crossing point to Romanian ports. The primary objective of enhancing the infrastructure of this checkpoint and establishing the 'green corridor' is to increase its actual throughput by at least fivefold.
Oleksandr BUTENKO, Deputy Minister for Communities, Territories, and Infrastructure of Ukraine, emphasized that the Ministry's main goal is to rebuild the country and help people return to normal life in their own homes. The VidnovyDIM Program exemplifies the 'Build Back Better' principle in action, and cooperation with the European Union enables the implementation of best European practices to create an energy-independent and robust Ukraine.
The Ministry's top priority is to introduce digital tools for managing the recovery process and monitoring the state regional policy's implementation. The state Digital Restoration Ecosystem for Accountable Management, known as DREAM, aims to become a "single window" for local governments to work with restoration projects, ensuring accountability and attracting more funds for regional and community development.
Furthermore, international financial institutions, including the EBRD, the World Bank, the European Investment Bank, and the Council of Europe Development Bank, have signed a joint Memorandum emphasizing the importance of utilizing the DREAM system. DREAM will offer transparency and accountability in Ukraine's restoration efforts.
Miyamoto International, a global engineering company specializing in post-disaster reconstruction, will provide technical supervision and engineering consultations for challenging and socially significant restoration projects to the State Agency for Restoration and Infrastructure Development. This collaboration was made official through a Memorandum of Cooperation between Mustafa Nayyem, Head of the Agency for Restoration, and Dr. Kit Miyamoto, Global CEO of Miyamoto International.
The renovated bomb shelter in Dnipro, funded by the EU and UNDP, is now fully operational. This 150-square-meter shelter can accommodate over 100 people and has been upgraded with modern amenities, including electrical wiring, heating, ventilation, and accessibility features for people with disabilities. It plays a vital role in ensuring the safety and well-being of the community, including internally displaced persons.
In addition, EUR 2.4 million has been allocated for the restoration of Municipal Clinical Hospital №4 in Dnipro. This medical center serves patients in eastern Ukraine, including military personnel and internally displaced persons. The project will establish a comprehensive hospital unit for patients with blood system diseases, intensive therapy, chemotherapy, cryostorage, and transplantations, with a significant social impact and long-term benefits for Ukraine.
In summary, this section of the text reflects Ukraine's commitment to rebuilding its infrastructure, improving border crossings, and ensuring the well-being of its citizens. It's like a symphony of efforts, with each project contributing to the harmonious development of the country.
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