Increasing the share of investments in the Ukrainian economy is one of the strategic goals of the state. The Transcarpathian region has significant potential for achieving it due to its favorable geographical location, development of industrial parks, activity of local and relocated business, and participation in the economic initiative “Carpathian Eight” (C8).
This was stated by the Minister of Economy and Environment of Ukraine Oleksandr Kravchenko during the forum “Infrastructure for Growth of Transcarpathia” in Uzhgorod. The event was also attended by Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Viktor Mykyta, Minister of Reconstruction, Infrastructure and Transport of Ukraine Mykola Kalashnyk, representatives of the Regional Military Administration and business.
“The unique geographical location of Transcarpathia, bordering four EU countries, opens up significant opportunities for Ukrainian business to invest, produce, and enter European markets. The region already demonstrates strong entrepreneurial potential: 12 out of 127 industrial parks listed in the State Register are located here. The initiators of two of them have already invested about UAH 5 billion of their own funds. Our task is to turn these advantages into new production facilities, investments, and jobs. To make Transcarpathia one of the centers of economic growth in the country,” said Oleksandr Kravchenko.
To support manufacturers, the state continues to implement the “Made in Ukraine” policy: to stimulate localization, expand preferential lending programs, and scale up war risk insurance. It is also planned to launch the “Industrial Ramstein” program – the first step will be a pilot project with Germany, which will allow Ukrainian enterprises to receive equipment from German engineering companies on preferential financing terms.
An important tool for attracting investment is the Carpathian Eight (C8). The combined GDP of the eight countries in the region is about $3.5 trillion, and the joint portfolio of investment projects already exceeds $50 billion. Transcarpathia is represented in it by projects in the automotive cluster, wind and geothermal energy, glass production, and energy equipment.
“I am convinced that there should be significantly more projects from Transcarpathia in the joint C8 portfolio. Our task is to accelerate the transition from investment ideas to their implementation in order to create more added value in the region, attract new investments, and launch enterprises that will become part of European production chains. For this, the state, local authorities, and business must act,” the minister emphasized.
To coordinate investment cooperation between the countries of the region, the Carpathian Investment Coalition has been created – an association of investment agencies, which will work on attracting investments and developing joint projects in cooperation with international financial organizations, the European Commission and private investors.
Oleksandr Kravchenko also thanked Ukrainian business for its work in extremely difficult conditions, investments and development. (Economy Ministry)