President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a phone conversation with Acting President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) Jürgen Rigterink and EBRD Vice President Alain Pilloux.
Jürgen Rigterink commended the important reforms in Ukraine, noting, in particular, the fight against corruption, the adoption of laws on concession, land market, privatization, banking law, and the appointment of a new governor of the National Bank of Ukraine. He also noted the successful issuance of Eurobonds by Ukraine, the signing of a new loan agreement with the European Union and the continuation of cooperation with the International Monetary Fund.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that last year the portfolio of EBRD projects in Ukraine amounted to 1.1 billion euros. The Head of State expressed hope for an even more dynamic increase in cooperation this year.
According to him, the global pandemic of COVID-19 makes the issues of financing and maintaining liquidity of public and private sector companies even more acute. In addition, there is a need to continue investing in infrastructure development in Ukraine.
The President thanked the EBRD for the permanent support.
Acting President of the EBRD stressed that the Bank is ready to provide our country with even more support during the crisis, and invested more than 300 million euros in Ukraine this year.
Jürgen Rigterink noted the reforms of corporate governance of state-owned enterprises and banks in Ukraine and ensuring the transparency of procedures for appointing members of supervisory boards.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine has consistently maintained cooperation with international partners, including the IMF and the World Bank. The government is working to meet the conditions for receiving the second tranche of the IMF and the EU loan.
The President also said that Ukraine has successfully returned to the foreign capital market - the Ministry of Finance has attracted $ 2 billion, which demonstrates the confidence of investors in our country.
The Head of State assured his interlocutors that with the change of the governor of the National Bank of Ukraine, the NBU policy will remain just as effective.
"I would like to assure you that the NBU will remain an independent institution and pursue a prudent monetary policy," the President said.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed hope that the EBRD will continue to cooperate with Ukraine in financing infrastructure projects.
"First of all, I mean the construction of roads, railway infrastructure and river transport. The Ministry of Infrastructure and Ukravtodor are working to sign an agreement for 450 million euros by the end of the year, which will allow the reconstruction of roads to begin next year," the President said.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy also spoke about the preparations for the privatization of large state-owned companies and invited the EBRD to join the process. He said that the first auction for the privatization of the Dnipro Hotel, formerly owned by the State Tax Service, was transparent and successful, and the state managed to get a record price of over UAH 1.1 billion.
"We will actively move in this direction and also count on the support of the Bank," the President said.
He stressed that despite the coronavirus pandemic, which has become a significant challenge for Ukraine, the Ukrainian government continues to make changes to quickly resume economic growth.
"We really strive for changes for the sake of Ukrainians, I am glad it can be seen even from a distance," the President of Ukraine noted.