On September 17, 2019, Kyiv Investment Forum was held at Mystetskyi Arsenal, dedicated to the creation of successful and progressive Kyiv agglomeration.

The idea of creation of Greater Kyiv has brought together around a thousand experts, diplomats, representatives of business and community, foreign municipalities, local governments, and investors, including at least 120 representatives from other countries. The Forum was also attended by Mayor of Kraków Jacek Majchrowski and Deputy Mayor of Budapest Gabor Bagdi.

Mayor of Kyiv Vitaliy Klitschko has opened the Forum.

“We need to take examples from developed metropolitan areas and implement them in our hometown. Kyiv remains the leader in most sectors of the Ukrainian economy. The capital forms 20% of Ukraine's GDP. It is also the educational, cultural, and sports center of the country. Therefore, the creation of the Kyiv agglomeration will help to increase jobs, an inflow of tourists, and, accordingly, the revenues to the budgets of the communities of Kyiv region”, - said Vitaliy Klitschko.

Foreign experts, the speakers of the Forum, supported the path chosen by Kyiv authorities to create the Association "Kyiv agglomeration" and solidary in the opinion that the future of Kyiv associates with the development of the Kyiv region. In their views, in addition to housing, it is necessary to develop the city's infrastructure and various services. The metropolitan region must be at the forefront of progress and demonstrate to all surrounding communities environmental standards such as a smart transportation system and a smart city.

Vice Mayor of Budapest Gabor Bagdi said: “Kyiv, like Budapest, should facilitate renovation, engage creative youth in further urban development and innovation. This should happen gradually, step by step. The city must attract young people with the renovation of public space, parks, public services of high quality, ecosystems of companies, start-ups, delicious gastronomy so that everyone - residents of Kyiv and visitors - can enjoy it”.

Courtney Finger, editor-in-chief of fDi Magazine at Financial Times, said: “Return on investment is very important. Kyiv is one of the best cities in the world that attracts investments. Compared to the previous year, there is a 3.5% increase in investments. Ukraine needs to invest more in tourism development in both Kyiv and other cities. Kyiv is № 1 in the business environment”.

According to Serhii Martynchuk, Head of Cisco Business in Ukraine, the modern metropolis is an organism. And any infrastructure is a tool to meet the needs of the city community.

“The problems that arise are unique in each city, so it is important to determine the focus of development correctly. The investor really wants to understand that this focus will remain relevant for a year or two. At the same time, it is essential to involve citizens. Otherwise, investments can be wasted”, said Serhii Martynchuk.

Within the Investment Forum, four-panel discussions were held: “Creative Economy - the New Breath of the Kyiv Agglomeration”, “Cultural, Music and Sports Events as a Catalyst for Urban Tourism”, “Service and Infrastructure Solutions for the Development of Metropolitan of Future” and “Global Trends. Ukrainian realities. A vision of Kyiv agglomeration ”, as well as a closed investment session, an exhibition of startups, presented by the Forum partners. The dialogues were moderated by Taras Semeniuk, International journalist, Svetlana Kovalchuk, Executive Director of YES, Yevgeny Shpytko, Founder and Editor of mind.ua, Ihor Parasyuk, USAID Project Director "Developing a course on strengthening local self-government in Ukraine (PULS)", Candidate of Economic Sciences Darya Zarivnaya, Founder of Business Media and Content Studio Vector, a social networking platform Charitum.