Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko spoke at the opening of the Ukrainian-American War Time Economy Forum, which is taking place in Kyiv. The forum is a platform of partnership, the purpose of which is to accelerate the integration processes between the business circles of the USA and Ukraine and establish cooperation in the post-war reconstruction of the Ukrainian state.

"Unprecedented support from the United States helped us to withstand the most difficult period of the Russian invasion, when the heart of Ukraine - Kyiv - was under immediate threat. The war is still going on, but we already have to think about what our country will be like tomorrow. After the victory. It is important that Ukraine continues the necessary reforms and transformation of the state even under martial law. The success of post-war reconstruction will depend on this. We must not just restore our country, repair, rebuild what was destroyed by the aggressor. We must create, in fact, a new Ukraine - more effective, truly democratic, strong and modern," Vitaliy Klitschko stressed.

He is convinced that the key role in this process, as well as in the organization of resistance to the Russian invasion now, will be played by local self-government bodies and territorial communities. Vitaliy Klitschko emphasized that decentralization can and should become an important force in the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine.

"During the war, the livelihood of communities and the protection of their residents fell on the shoulders of local self-government. Local authorities and communities have joined forces and are jointly overcoming today's challenges. I would also like to note that since the first days of the war, the capital's authorities have introduced comprehensive business support to stabilize the city's economy. And we must give credit to the business, which quickly adapted to the new realities and almost completely resumed work. Enterprises that are maximally involved in providing military needs have resumed work and are actively working: mechanical engineering, the pharmaceutical industry, and light industry. The IT business was the fastest reoriented to the needs of the army. As is well known, the largest filling of the capital budget is provided by business and the working population," the mayor of Kyiv noted.

He noted that thanks to this, there was no failure in the city budget. This year, in the first 4 months, the budget received almost 3.6 billion hryvnias more funds than in the same period of 2022. And 3.8 billion more than in 4 months of 2021.

Vitaliy Klitschko noted that the business of the United States can play an important role in the economy of Ukraine and in its reconstruction. These are large-scale projects that are interesting for both Ukraine and US business people. About investments, financial resources that will attract advanced technologies and experience to Ukraine. They will contribute to the formation of partnerships both with Ukrainian business and with power structures, in particular at the local level.

"I would like to take this opportunity to invite American businessmen to Kyiv. Already today, we are ready to discuss promising projects and opportunities of the Ukrainian capital. In particular, in the spheres of service economy, economy of knowledge and innovations. In this sense, we are also counting on the American University, which started its activities in Kyiv," Vitaliy Klitschko emphasized.

The program of the Ukrainian-American Forum War Time Economy covers the key topics of the development of Ukraine during the war and in the post-war period. Today, experts are discussing the prospects of involving American companies in the restoration of sustainable energy infrastructure, demining of Ukrainian lands, the possibility of investing in and supporting the Ukrainian economy in the conditions of the war unleashed by Russia.

Among the guests and speakers are international figures, representatives of relevant ministries, state structures, businesses and non-profit organizations. In particular, Deputy Head of the US Mission in Ukraine Christopher Smith, former Special Representative of the US Government for Ukraine Kurt Volker, President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine Andriy Gunder, Minister of Defense of Ukraine Oleksiy Reznikov, Deputy Prime Minister for the Reconstruction of Ukraine Oleksandr Kubrakov and others .