France could potentially provide another EUR 1 billion in investment in the Big Construction program, Ukrainian Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov wrote on his Facebook page on Tuesday evening. “In 2021, Ukraine and France signed a Framework Agreement with a total value of EUR 1.3 billion. The new directions that we presented recently will potentially add another billion in investments,” the minister said.
According to him, the Big Construction program of President Volodymyr Zelensky this year gave the first noticeable results, which attracted the attention of the French government and French companies to Ukraine.
He recalled that in the summer the Ministry of Infrastructure began cooperation with France’s Aerogestion on the optimal model for creating a national air carrier, and by the end of this year it is planned to present the results and possible solutions to the government.
“As part of the development of the concept of the national air carrier, we are also exploring opportunities for cooperation between Antonov State Enterprise and AirBus in cargo transportation and provision of firefighting aircraft. These are ambitious and difficult projects that are inspired by the idea of Greater Europe, because the European Union itself began not only from coal and steel, but also from the first European aircraft,” Kubrakov said.
In addition, Kubrakov said that a project for the construction of a new road on the Krakovets-Lviv-Brody-Rivne route was presented in Paris, to which a company with a private initiative has already joined.
“By the end of the year, the development of a feasibility study will be completed, and next year we expect a competition and the launch of the project. The expertise and experience of French road companies in such projects are extremely valuable,” the minister of infrastructure of Ukraine said.
According to him, cooperation between the two countries will also influence the Ukrainian railway – now the contract between Ukrzaliznytsia and France’s Alstom for the purchase of locomotives is being finalized.
As reported, earlier, in the presence of Zelensky, an agreement on the provision of 130 new Alstom freight electric trains produced by France to Ukrzaliznytsia was signed.
Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal has announced the inclusion of irrigation systems in the southern regions of Ukraine in the Big Construction national program in 2021.
“Next year, we have planned the construction of irrigation systems in the southern regions of Ukraine under the Big Construction program being implemented under the auspices of the President. This will be a strategic project that will dramatically expand the quality areas under crops, guarantee yields in dry months, and protect farmers from adverse weather conditions,” the prime minister said during a government meeting on Wednesday.
According to him, today begins the unification of the regulatory framework for environmentally friendly irrigation and drainage.
“This year in Ukraine, the grain harvest is predicted to be 7 million tonnes less than last year, according to forecasts of the Ministry of Economy and experts. The main reason is the negative impact of weather conditions, including drought,” Shmyhal said
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky plans to discuss the issue of adding dormitories to the Big Construction program with the Infrastructure Ministry, the prime minister and the Regional Development, Construction and Housing and Utilities Ministry, according to the press service of the Office of President of Ukraine.
“We will discuss with the Infrastructure Ministry, the prime minister and the Regional Development Ministry a possibility of adding construction of dormitories in Ukraine to the Big Construction program,” he said during a working visit to Khmelnytsky region on June 3, during which he checked the implementation of the program.
The head of state said that during a meeting with the rectors of the top universities on June 2 he was informed that one of the major problems in higher education is the lack of student dormitories with good conditions.
The program provides for the construction of five schools, kindergartens and sports complexes in each region, he said, adding that all education institutions should be commissioned by September 1.
“Probably, not all of them will be ready due to coronavirus, but the majority of them should be ready,” the president said.
“Our strategy is very simple: we have to build as many such important infrastructure facilities as possible over the five years given to us by the people of Ukraine and the God,” Zelensky said.
The president also checked the construction site of a kindergarten in the village of Davydkivtsi, Khmelnytsky district. He was told that the total cost of the project is more than UAH 27 million, as well as that the building was 65% ready at that moment and it would be put in operation by September 1.
