Ukraine is ready to privatize large state-owned companies, in particular to sell 25% of the shares of NAEK Energoatom, but this requires the involvement of financial institutions and the readiness of European partners, said Alexei Sobolev, Minister of Economy, Environment, and Agriculture.
“We must be ready for privatization, but this also requires a serious approach, on the other hand, and certain assistance from financial institutions to finance these transactions. For example, in the case of Energoatom, we are ready to sell a quarter of the company,” he said at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
At the same time, Sobolev noted that large European companies involved in nuclear energy are currently experiencing their own difficulties, which makes it difficult to acquire a stake in Ukrainian assets during or after the war. According to him, the implementation of such projects requires a joint agreement that the European Union will agree to.
The head of the ministry also stressed the need for large-scale domestic financing. To this end, he said, the government plans to focus on fighting corruption, increasing the legal sector of the economy, and collecting more taxes.
“We are expanding the legal economy and collecting more taxes. But now, if you look, Ukraine distributes about 50% of its GDP. So we are earning money and doing our job,” Sobolev added.