The representatives of the delegation of the U-LEAD Program with Europe arrived in the city to study the experience of Mariupol in matters of decentralization and to identify opportunities for further cooperation. They met with city council secretary Stepan Mahsma and deputy mayors Sergei Zakharov and Sergei Orlov.
At the beginning of the meeting, international partners stressed that their mission was to strengthen the cooperation and help Mariupol in regional development issues.
Stepan Mahsma thanked the guests for their attention to the problems of the city and expert assistance in decentralization issues.
Speaking about the advantages of decentralization, the deputy mayor Sergey Orlov focused on changes in the structure of the budget of Mariupol for 2019.
‘If we used to have the ratio between own revenues and funds from the state budget 50 to 50, now the trend has changed. We have increased the revenue side of the budget at our own expense. So, for 2019, we predict that we will have $ 100 million of our own revenues and 55 million from the state budget,’ he stressed.
The deputy mayor Sergei Zakharov told about the logistical problems of the city.
‘70% of the Mariupol-Zaporozhye highway is worn out. We have low train capacity and long travel time for passengers. In addition, the airport is closed, ‘ he said.
Also, during the meeting they discussed issues of supporting small and medium-sized businesses. Andrei Horvat, the Deputy Director of the GIZ Program, underlined that they are ready to assist in organizing trips for young businessmen to Europe and establishing direct contacts with European communities.
