Kyiv Investment Forum 2016

On November 23, the Investment Forum of Kyiv took place at the NSC "Olimpiysʹkyy". The event is organized by the Kyiv City State Administration. Representatives of the authorities, diplomatic missions, international financial organizations and foundations, chambers of commerce, and business discussed the investment climate of the city and opportunities for cooperation.

Kyiv is a city where you need to invest. The capital's economy is recovering, the financial situation is stabilizing, and local authorities are creating comfortable conditions for every investor. This was stated by Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko on Wednesday during a speech at the Investment Forum.

"Leading foreign and Ukrainian economists, statesmen, representatives of domestic and international business, financial organizations and foundations gathered here. That is why participation in the Forum is an opportunity to hold a fruitful discussion on the opportunities and prospects of investing in Kyiv and on the effective and successful development of our city", - said Vitaliy Klitschko.

He stressed that despite the general difficult political situation in the country, the capital managed to stabilize the economic and financial situation.

"Kyiv is an attractive city to invest in. Two years ago we had a debt of UAH 24 billion. Despite the difficult situation, external and domestic debt was reduced to UAH 13.5 billion. This is a positive signal, and it means that the capital's economy is recovering", - the Kyiv mayor said.

According to him, revenues to the city budget in 2015 increased by 30%.

"And in the third quarter of this year, the treasury was replenished by 4 billion more than expected. We expect that by the end of the year the excess of planned revenues will amount to more than UAH 5 billion", - Vitali Klitschko noted and stressed that Kyiv is a reliable partner, and the city authorities will do everything to make it easy and comfortable for every investor to conduct business here.

"Every investor should know that his investments are protected. And I have said and will repeat that I am ready to be a "bodyguard" for anyone who will invest in Kyiv, help develop infrastructure, create jobs, and pay taxes", - said Mr. Klitschko. He added that with the support of the British government, a new version of the Kyiv City Development Strategy until 2025 was developed.

"The main strategic goal of the long-term development of Kyiv is to improve the quality of life and comfort of the capital's residents. Of course, this requires the development of the economic base, which is impossible without creating favorable conditions for businesses and investors. In fact, the creation of such conditions is given considerable attention in the new version of the Kyiv City Development Strategy until 2025", - the mayor said.

He noted that many sections of the document contain initiatives that will be interesting to investors. These are, in particular, potential projects in the areas of housing, energy efficiency, transport, culture.

The mayor also noted that about 200 experts, analysts, scientists, Kyiv City Council deputies, statesmen, businessmen, activists, and the city community as a whole were involved in the development of the new version of the Strategy.

"Today Kyiv is open for entrepreneurs and investors! We invite everyone to cooperate and guarantee comprehensive support to those who will join the development of our city, the introduction of innovations, the creation of new jobs", - said Vitali Klitschko.

During the Forum, representatives of Ukrainian businesses had the opportunity to present their projects and hold talks with potential foreign investors on joint activities.

The forum was attended by about 30 ambassadors of foreign countries, 50 speakers and moderators, such as B. Lozhkin, D. Shymkiv, O. Tymkiv, O. Voloshin, S. Fritz and other representatives of international organizations and foundations. In total, the event was attended by more than 600 participants.