Ukraine is exploring the possibility of using financial instruments of the UK Export Finance (UKEF) to purchase British tests and vaccines to combat the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said.
“We are currently discussing the implementation of a joint project for the development of the Ukrainian fleet and related infrastructure. We are also exploring the possibility of using UKEF financial instruments to purchase British tests and vaccines in the fight against coronavirus infection. Another area is the possibility of using these resources for the construction of Europe’s largest onshore wind farm in Zaporizhia region (Zofia project),” the minister told Interfax-Ukraine, answering a question about the interest of Ukrainian-British projects in cooperation with UKEF.
Kuleba said that within the framework of the memorandum of cooperation between UK Export Finance and the Cabinet of Ministers signed on October 8, 2020, five priority areas have been identified: security and defense, infrastructure, agriculture, energy and healthcare. However, he said, collaboration is not limited to these industries.
“On December 10, representatives of the agency will hold a presentation of the available financing instruments and opportunities for cooperation with Ukrainian partners in the framework of the Ukrainian Investment Roadshow,” Kuleba said.
As Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the United Kingdom of Great Britain Vadym Prystaiko said during an online briefing for Ukrainian exporters “Bilateral Trade between Ukraine and Great Britain after Brexit”, the mechanism of the UK Export will allow access to concessional lending at 2.5-4%.
“This is a GBP 2.5 billion loan agreement that allows access to concessional lending at 2.5-4% depending on the terms of the contract,” Prystaiko said at an online briefing organized by the Ukrainian Embassy in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Council of Exporters and Investors under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine. At the same time, the share of the British partner in such projects should be 20%, Prystaiko said.
He also said that although we are talking about imports, Ukrainian exporters will thus be able to obtain certain services, technologies or raw materials.
