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Experts discussed economic recovery of Mariupol

23 May 2024, 10:05
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Society

«Mariupol Vision. Modelling Economic Recovery»workshop was held in Kyiv. The goal is to identify areas for economic development of Mariupol after de-occupation as part of the City Recovery Plan«Mariupol Reborn».

The workshop brought together people's deputies, government officials, experts, academics, and Polish partners. During the event, Dutch urbanist Fulco Treffers presented an urban vision for Mariupol. Chairman of the Board of DS CONSULTING Sp. z o.o. Poland Rafal Sporko presented his findings on global and local factors affecting the economy of Mariupol after the de-occupation of the city.

According to Nadiia Bihun, Deputy Minister of Economy of Ukraine, we need to think about community recovery now:

«What can we do today to ensure that our people who have been forced to move or who are suffering from Russian aggression can continue to live here, develop and find opportunities for themselves. I would like to thank the Mariupol City Council. You were progressive before the war and now you are showing the way for other regions. This is very important».

The Mayor of Mariupol, Vadym Boichenko, said that reviving the city is an extremely difficult process. To do this, it is necessary to create the groundwork:

 «There is currently no clear answer as to what the new model of economic development in Mariupol should look like. It should be diversified. It is also important for us to preserve the industrial potential of the city and follow the path of green metallurgy, as well as unlock the seaport potential of Mariupol. To do this, we are looking for the best expertise and new vectors of economic recovery».

Nataliia Yemchenko, Communications Director at SCM and member of the Supervisory Board at the NGO “Mariupol Reborn”, emphasised that veteran-centricity should play a major role in the reconstruction process:

«After completing their service, participation in reconstruction may be the next big thing for the military. And we, businesses and employers, must adapt ourselves to the return of people with military experience. We must be ready to compete for them and involve their skills and knowledge to the maximum extent possible. And not only business, but also communities. Mariupol once decided to become a city that invites internally displaced people and won – 100 thousand displaced people came to the city and this gave a powerful impetus to growth. The same will happen to communities that decide to be veteran-centric. It is a challenge, but they will benefit from it».

At the end of the event, group work was moderated by Volodymyr Vorobei, Director of the PPV Economic Development Agency, who also contributed to the development of the Vision.

Today, the foundation of a common vision for the future economic development of the city was laid. This vision was made possible thanks to close cooperation with DS CONSULTING Sp. z o.o. with the support of the Gdańsk Development Agency (InvestGda), with the involvement of Volodymyr Vorobei and the PPV Development Agency. Mariupol Reborn is implemented by the Mariupol City Council with the investment support of Rinat Akhmetov's SCM and international donors.