"I am glad to welcome at the Investment Forum of Kyiv our guests - ambassadors, representatives of international organizations, my fellow mayors, experts, business representatives! This year's forum is held under the slogan "Go local. Think global”. And today it is a platform where we can discuss what the economic and infrastructural development of the capital and the capital region should be like in the new conditions", - Vitali Klitschko said.

The mayor stressed that the coronavirus pandemic has become a global challenge for the world.

"Authorities at all levels are not only forced to curb the spread of the virus and protect people's health and lives. But also to decide how to help business, how to rebuild the economy. How to further implement infrastructure projects and develop our cities. And we need not lose the pace of change that has begun in the capital. We should continue to make Kyiv a comfortable European city. The capital of Ukraine and the capital region is a financial and investment center with great potential and a high level of development of innovations and technologies. But the greatest value of our city are people", - Vitali Klitschko stressed.

He stressed that nowadays, in a pandemic, the city authorities are doing everything possible to prevent the spread of the coronavirus and protect the people and provide the necessary medical and social assistance. Even in the fight against the pandemic, Kyiv continues to upgrade roads and bridges, build kindergartens and schools. Repair and create new parks and recreation areas.

The mayor stressed that today Kyiv needs a strategy that will ensure business development. And the capital of Ukraine is developing such a strategy.

"The pandemic in the context of cessation or restriction of traffic flows between countries has demonstrated the importance of developing and supporting local producers. For the sake of economic security, cities need to be able to function autonomously - first of all to produce basic necessities. That is why the localization of the economy of the capital region should become one of the priorities in overcoming the consequences of the pandemic", - said the mayor of Kyiv.

Vitali Klitschko noted that Kyiv plays an important role in Ukraine's economic development. The capital provides more than 20% of GDP across the country. And the share of foreign direct investment is over 50% of the national volume.

Kyiv is also the center of one of the largest agglomerations among European capitals in terms of population and territory. 19 city and village councils have already joined the Kyiv Agglomeration Association. Therefore, Vitali Klitschko stressed, in the context of global urbanization, the development of the Kyiv agglomeration is necessary and promising.

"Therefore, our common goal today is to build the infrastructure and unite the communities of Greater Kyiv. Creating a powerful metropolis with comfortable conditions for its residents. Conditions for work and leisure. Conditions for professional development. And we will make Kyiv and its agglomeration exactly like that!”, - Vitali Klitschko emphasized.

Source: Official portal of Kyiv