President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) Odile Renaud-Basso.
The meeting was also attended by Minister of Finance Serhiy Marchenko, Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Yulia Svyrydenko, Advisor to the Head of the Office of the President Tymofiy Mylovanov, Head of the State Agency of Automobile Roads of Ukraine Oleksandr Kubrakov.
"Ukraine and the EBRD have good relations and many important projects in which Ukraine invests its soul, and the EBRD - faith and money. We consider you one of the strategic financial partners. These relations are very important for us," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
The President of Ukraine and the President of the EBRD discussed the development of infrastructure in Ukraine. Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke about important laws that will help attract investors to the implementation of infrastructure projects. In particular, these are the laws on concession and large-scale privatization. He stressed that privatization is one of the priorities today and invited the EBRD to join this direction.
In addition, Ukraine plans to develop public-private partnership in the road sector. The EBRD continues to invest in the reconstruction and construction of Ukrainian roads. The bank provided a loan to the State Agency of Automobile Roads for the development of road infrastructure.
"It is very important to support infrastructure projects in Ukraine, because quality roads, bridges and social infrastructure are important for every Ukrainian. Thanks to infrastructure projects, we have created 190,000 jobs at a time when many people have lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” the President said.
In addition, they discussed the development of the agricultural sector of Ukraine.
"It is advisable to invest in agriculture. Ukraine needs a lot of investment in modernizing its irrigation infrastructure. Its reconstruction will be a powerful step in the development of agriculture and Ukraine as a player in the international agricultural market," Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed.
The President noted that the architecture of anticorruption bodies has already been restored in Ukraine, and the Verkhovna Rada passed in the first reading bills on the resumption of the work of the High Qualification Commission of Judges of and the High Council of Justice.
The President also stressed that the reform of law enforcement agencies is underway, and today he signed a law on the establishment of the Bureau of Economic Security. The newly established bureau will take over the functions of overseeing economic crimes in the law enforcement system, which will contribute to business development and improve the investment climate in Ukraine.
"Judicial reform is one of the most difficult challenges, but within three years we will complete it and create a transparent, efficient judicial system in Ukraine," Volodymyr Zelenskyy added.
In addition, energy sector reform was discussed. The President said that the state has regained control over PJSC Centrenergo, which is one of the largest enterprises in the energy sector of Ukraine.
The Head of State stressed that the Minister of Energy should be an independent figure and work on the implementation of reforms in the industry.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that Ukraine is interested in creating market conditions in all sectors of the economy.
The parties also touched upon the implementation of energy efficiency programs, in particular the introduction of energy-saving technologies in housing.
The President noted that Ukraine is interested in attracting investors to conduct transparent privatization.
In addition, the parties discussed the continuation of the reform of the financial and banking sectors of Ukraine.
The President of the EBRD praised the reforms being implemented in various sectors of the Ukrainian economy.