In the aftermath of the unparalleled devastation of infrastructure in Ukraine amidst the ongoing conflict with Russia, the Ukrainian representative to the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2024 implored India to engage in collaborative investment ventures encompassing demining, engineering, aircraft production, IT, and maritime infrastructure revitalization in the war-torn nation.
Yuliia SVYRYDENKO, the inaugural Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine, lauded India for its impactful community development endeavors. She articulated, “The Ukrainian administration is laboring ceaselessly to enact requisite reforms expeditiously to accelerate the rejuvenation of the decimated Ukrainian infrastructure and economy.”
Volodymyr Kuzyo, Deputy Minister of Economics and special envoy from Ukraine to VGGS, asserted, “The Ukrainian economic landscape is gradually convalescing and presents substantial investment prospects. In the year 2023, Ukraine’s economy recorded a growth rate of 5% in stark contrast to the 30% contraction witnessed in 2022.”
He elaborated, “Ukraine’s recuperative strategy is centered around pivotal sectors with significant multiplier effects and the establishment of novel inter-regional value networks. Ukraine boasts a structural competitive edge in premium-grade, cost-effective ferrous minerals, eco-friendly and economical energy reservoirs, and a robust workforce. Furthermore, we possess a competitive standing in the titanium extraction and processing continuum.”
Kuzyo extended an invitation to India to invest in the clearance of landmines within Ukrainian territories. He remarked, “By December 2023, Ukraine grappled with approximately 1,56,000 square kilometers of contaminated lands. Ukraine necessitates demining apparatus for governmental entities, resources and tools for terrestrial and aquatic demining, education for demining squads, institutional capacity enhancement for governmental bodies, technical acumen, and aid for victims afflicted by landmines and vestiges of warfare.”
Seppo Nurmi, Deputy Ambassador of the European Union in India, articulated, The World Bank’s evaluation in March 2023 underscored that the reconstruction and resurgence of Ukraine mandates an investment tallying $411 billion. “Subsequent appraisals slated for this March are anticipated to surpass earlier projections considerably.”
