By Olga Rosca
In her first official, in-person visit to a country where the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) invests, President Odile Renaud-Basso will travel to Ukraine on 22 and 23 March for high-level meetings.
During her visit, President Renaud-Basso will meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal as well as other government and business leaders.
Her discussions will focus on the reforms needed to unlock investment by the EBRD and other investors, as well as the post-COVID-19 recovery. The EBRD expects the Ukrainian economy to grow by 3 per cent this year, though this will very much depend on how the pandemic evolves and the progress made on reforms.
In Kyiv, President Renaud-Basso will also speak at the virtual launch of the National Economic Strategy for Ukraine 2030.
She is expected to say: “We are encouraged by Ukraine’s commitment to continue reforming the economy and the state administration. Citizens, as much as businesses, need a judiciary that is transparent, efficient and trustworthy. The fight against corruption at all levels is just as essential, as is the establishment of a level playing field with no oligarchic influence in the economic sphere. The EBRD is proud to have been able to make its contribution as an investor, as well as a partner, on policy reform.”
Ukraine is a top three investment destination for the EBRD. In the past two years alone, the Bank has committed €2 billion(US$2.39billion) to the economy. The investments are combined with support for policies that promote the fight against corruption, good governance of state-owned enterprises, structural reforms and a more transparent business environment.
The EBRD is also playing a key role in the transformation of Chernobyl. This year marks the 35th anniversary of the nuclear accident of 26 April 1986.
