The Ministry of Economy continues to work on launching the demining market in Ukraine. Last week, a working meeting was held with the participation of Deputy Minister of Economy of Ukraine Ihor Bezkaravainyi, UNDP experts, and representatives of mine action operators (MAO operators) to discuss the principles of forming the cost of demining work.
"This year we are launching a compensation program for farmers who will demine their land, involving certified mine action operators. The Government will compensate farmers for part of the costs of demining. The budget allocates 3 billion hryvnias for these purposes. It is necessary to ensure such an approach to pricing that, on the one hand, is flexible enough in conditions of uncertainty about the exact conditions of the operators' work on a specific site and is attractive for their work, and on the other hand, ensures the efficiency of using state and donor funds," said Deputy Minister of Economy of Ukraine Ihor Bezkaravainyi.
Representatives of 17 MAO operators participated in the meeting, providing their calculations regarding the cost of demining work. The information obtained will allow standardizing approaches to determining prices for demining services depending on the complexity of the work to be performed.
The parties also agreed to collect proposals on the format and regularity of similar meetings. Such formats allow MAO operators to promptly inform about market work issues, and the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine to promptly address such issues.
Recall that in early February, the Government approved a decision to launch an experimental project for the certification of mine action operators. The project is designed for two years and further brings Ukraine closer to creating a demining market. The new procedure reduces bureaucratic burden, defines a single list of documents to be submitted by potential MAO operators, and sets strict procedural deadlines.
