US Ambassador to Ukraine Steven Pifer and Odesa Mayor Ruslan Bodelan, have signed an agreement on a $400,000 grant to be given by the US Trade and Development Agency to examine the condition of Odesa’s failing heat supply system in 2000. Answering The Day’ s question on the probability of any financial support for the system modernization, Ambassador Pifer responded that “the forthcoming inspection of Odesa’s heat supply system may become a basis for a World Bank credit to pay for subsequent modernization of the system.” As Mr. Pifer recalled, a similar project was implemented in Kyiv three years ago. According to the US Ambassador, “Oil and gas experts intend to help solve the fuel problem, improve the existing system of payments, reduce heat supply and distribution costs and ensure environmental safety.” Ambassador Pifer also added that the US government had extended a $165 million loan to Ukraine in 2000 to reform its economy, reports Mykhailo AKSANIUK, The Day.
