Minister of Infrastructure of Ukraine Oleksandr Kubrakov and his deputies held a meeting with the Ambassadors of G7 countries. Among the main topics for discussion were the results of infrastructure reforms, steps to improve the investment climate, measures to improve safety, energy efficiency and transport.
"In recent years, we have significantly improved our relations with G7 partner countries in terms of infrastructure projects. We feel the support and understanding of our initiatives in the framework of the Presidential Programme Large Construction - I believe that this will be an incentive to expand opportunities for cooperation. In particular, in 2022 we are launching a competition to determine concession operators for 4 major Ukrainian ports. We need experienced system investors who will be able to modernize the port infrastructure and increase its capacity in a short time. Already this year, a number of important international tenders will be held for the purchase of new rolling stock for Ukrzaliznytsia, the selection of a contractor for the construction of Kyiv ring road and participants in public-private partnership road projects. All these projects are a chance to deepen cooperation with our international partners, to attract modern experience and technologies to Ukraine," Oleksandr Kubrakov said.
The Minister of Infrastructure told about the implementation of projects to develop energy efficiency and sustainability of public transport, the introduction of multimodal transport in Ukraine, the development of water and rail transport as alternatives to road, as well as steps to decarbonise the transport system in our country.
Speaking about the trade potential between Ukraine and the G7 countries, Oleksandr Kubrakov stressed that there are cases of restrictions on Ukrainian exports to the EU on the part of our western neighbours: "Over the last 4 years since there was concluded an Association Agreement, trade turnover between Ukraine and the European Union has increased by more than 60%. This figure will grow year after year. Meanwhile, we now feel that Ukrainian exports are being artificially restricted on our borders with the EU. We look forward to assisting in the launch of the negotiation process for the liberalization of international road haulage. Such a decision will help avoid a trade crisis, move away from the policy of restriction and deterrence, as well as significantly expand opportunities for cooperation between Ukraine and the G7 countries."
It should be noted that in September 2021, the Minister met for the first time in the history of the Ministry of Infrastructure with representatives of the G7, which testifies to the attention of the international community to the development of infrastructure in Ukraine. The meeting’s participants focused on public administration reform, leveraging investment, protection of national and economic interests of Ukraine.
