Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky spoke at the Davos meeting in Switzerland this week on the potential for long-term foreign investment into the country.
The president appeared onstage at the event to argue that a strengthening of Ukraine’s economy would lead to a strengthening in the security of Europe. He also spoke of the need for transparency in doing business in Ukraine and took the opportunity to remind attendees ongoing war was not just about Ukraine and Russia, but also about the state of the continent.
“I believe that our main strength and our treasure of Ukraine is people,” Zelensky said. “And they have proven to the whole world they are smart, talented, modern and sharp-witted. They are brave and they are absolutely open. For us today to build a resilient economy – only our people and your investments are capable of that.”
‘Green industry hub’
Last November, Expert Investor reported on how the European Commission was looking to rebuild Ukraine as a ‘green industry hub’ through a support package estimated to be worth between €50bn and €60bn. Addressing the Kyiv Investment Forum, EC president Ursula von der Leyen said at the time that Ukraine had the people and the determination to make the country a “hub of green industry and digital innovation”.
“The city of Kyiv is leading this effort to build a better future for Ukraine,” she said. “I have seen firsthand how the city is reimagining itself, as a dynamic, green and inclusive capital. Kyiv can also be an example for other Ukrainian cities, as well as for cities in the EU. We can learn so much from each other, and help one another – including through the ‘mayor’s platform’, which this forum brought to life last year.”
According to its own website, meanwhile, the EU and its member states have made available nearly €70bn in financial, humanitarian, emergency, budget and military support since Russia invaded the country nearly two years ago.
