Ukraine Can Rely on Investment, Support for Its Exports from G7

Minister of Infrastructure of Ukraine Oleksandr Kubrakov and his deputies met with the G7 Ambassadors. The parties discussed the results of infrastructure reforms, steps to improve the investment climate, measures to enhance safety, environmental friendliness, and energy efficiency of transport.

“In recent years, we have significantly improved our relations with G7 partner countries in terms of infrastructure projects. In particular, we launch a competition to determine concessionaires for four major Ukrainian ports in 2022. We need experienced investors who will be able to modernise the port infrastructure and bolster its capacity in a short time,” Kubrakov said.

He added that several important international tenders on the purchase of new rolling stock for Ukrzaliznytsia would be held this year. In addition, a contractor for the construction of the Kyiv bypass road and participants in public-private partnership road projects will be determined. All these projects are an opportunity to deepen cooperation with international partners, and to attract modern expertise and technologies to Ukraine.

Speaking about the trade potential between Ukraine and the G7 countries, Kubrakov pointed out the cases of restrictions on Ukrainian exports to the EU by some western neighbours: “Over the past four years, since the conclusion of the Association Agreement, the trade turnover between Ukraine and the European Union has grown by more than 60%. This figure will scale up every year. At the same time, now we see that the Ukrainian exports are being artificially restricted on our borders with the EU.”

Ukraine counts on the G7’s assistance in launching a negotiation process on the liberalisation of international road haulage. Such a solution will help avoid a trade crisis, move away from a policy of restriction and containment, and significantly expand opportunities for cooperation between Ukraine and G7 countries.

In September 2021, the minister met with the G7 representatives for the first time in the history of the Ministry of Infrastructure, which testifies to the attention of the international community to the development of infrastructure in Ukraine. The meeting focused on public administration reform, investment attraction, protection of national and economic interests of Ukraine.

Natalia Tolub