First Deputy Minister of Communities and Territories Development Alyona Shkrum, Deputy Minister Kostiantyn Kovalchuk, and Head of the State Agency for Restoration Serhii Sukhomlyn met with representatives of the French Business Community in Ukraine Association.
The French side was represented by Bertrand Barrier, President of the Franco-Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, along with executives and representatives of leading companies, including Mazars, Saint-Gobain, Egis, CMA CGM, Ukrsibbank, and Gerz Construction.
Alyona Shkrum thanked the French business representatives for their support and emphasized that France already has well-established cooperation mechanisms with Ukraine. She also noted that the government is actively working on attracting international financing to ensure the resilience and development of Ukrainian communities.
"French businesses play a key role in Ukraine's reconstruction. We are already working within the Critical Infrastructure Support Fund, which provides €200 million in grant assistance. Our goal is to effectively direct these funds toward restoring energy infrastructure, housing and utilities, transportation, and social infrastructure. We are open to partnerships and interested in attracting foreign companies to these processes. French partners are already demonstrating their readiness to work in Ukraine, and we count on active cooperation," said the First Deputy Minister.
During the meeting, representatives of French companies had the opportunity to ask questions to the Ministry officials and discuss key areas of reconstruction that require international investment and expert support. Priorities include the restoration of critical infrastructure, modernization of housing and utilities, development of railway and port connections, implementation of European technologies in urban planning, energy efficiency, waste processing, and financial instruments to support businesses.
French business representatives expressed their readiness for joint projects, particularly in the fields of transport infrastructure, housing and utilities, construction, and environmental solutions. The Ministry and French companies agreed to continue coordination and develop a roadmap for implementing joint initiatives in the near future.
