A public discussion of the draft National Economic Strategy-2030 on the topic "Reintegration of the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine" has taken place today. The event was attended by Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine Oleksiy Reznikov, Mayor of Mariupol Vadym Boichenko, First Deputy Minister for Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories Rostislav Zamlinsky, Deputy Minister of Economic Development, Trade and Agriculture Irina Novikova, Head of Donetsk Regional State Administration Pavlo Kyrylenko.
Vadym Boichenko said that since 2015 Mariupol has taken the path of modernization and has developed its own Development Strategy until 2021. It is based on two key areas - utilities and municipal services. Now, together with society, a new Strategy 2030 is being developed, the goal of which is to create new opportunities.
“The focus of our attention is the needs and requests of Mariupol residents. The community identifies the main areas requiring priority attention. To date, our Development Strategy has been almost completely implemented. But there are still issues to be addressed. This is the modernization of the water supply system, the development of the economy and the solution of problems with logistics,” Vadym Boichenko said.
The Mayor drew attention to the fact that Mariupol is still at a transport dead end. To solve the problem, it is necessary to restore the operation of Mariupol airport. It is also necessary to reduce the transit time of Kiev-Mariupol train to 12 and in the future to 10:00.
The lack of a developed transport infrastructure, according to the Mayor, blocks the full operation of the commercial port. The solution may be the construction of a circular concrete road, which will become a driver for the development of the port, metallurgy and agriculture.
In addition, the creation of an industrial park and the reanimation of “Azovmash” enterprise can become points of economic development. The reconstruction of embankments will allow to develop the tourist potential of the city. You also need to pay special attention to the development of medicine.
“We see the development of the city in new directions. In particular, medicine. The regional medical, educational and scientific cluster is a new point of the city's economic development. We will be able to attract students to Mariupol. People will come to us from different cities for a high level of medical services. At the same time, we will educate new healthcare professionals,” the Mayor said.
As the Mayor noted, in order to implement projects, communities should receive additional tax revenues from the introduction of a free economic zone. It is also important to increase by 5-10% the share of personal income tax that goes to local budgets. At the same time, reduce the level of reverse subsidies and create targeted development funds.
Olexiy Reznikov presented the Strategy for Economic Development of Donetsk and Luhansk Regions. According to him, it will contribute to the formation of a new structure of the regional economy, attractive conditions for foreign investors, new jobs, an agricultural cluster, industrial parks and a creative industry.
“Reintegration of temporarily occupied territories is a multifaceted process that includes diplomatic, political, humanitarian, military components. We can talk about complete economic reintegration only if we create the economic prerequisites for this. And this means the need to build an attractive life in Ukraine, a modern economy, rapid GDP growth. Donetsk and Luhansk regions should become regions of new economic opportunities, where advanced, most modern approaches will be introduced,” the Vice Prime Minister emphasized.
In turn, Iryna Novikova added that in order to restore the investment attractiveness of the regions, it is necessary to use the mechanisms of public-private partnership. According to the Deputy Minister of Economic Development, this is one of the best methods of economic development, since it allows the implementation of large infrastructure projects and reduces risks for investors.
It should be noted that the National Economic Strategy-2030 is being developed by the Working Group of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine on the platform of the Center for Economic Recovery. Broad discussion of the draft National Economic Strategy - 2030 began on January 22.
