The government and representatives of business are trying to activate a dialog and enlist potential investors’ support. The Foundation for Effective Governance, Kyiv City State Administration, and international publisher Financial Times opened the First Kyiv Investment Forum. The organizers are certain it will help the city export the proper reputation into the international business community and win not only sympathy, but financial favor as well. The construction of Kyiv-City, an international business district, the creation of the innovation park BIONIC HILL, the construction of the fourth line of the capital’s subway, and of multi-storied car-parks are some of the quality priorities that will be presented to the investors. By the way, they were chosen to be a strategy of the capital’s development till 2025.
On the eve of the Forum The Day asked the masterminds how they see Kyiv in 2025 and what image of Ukraine’s capital is going to be exported to the international financial investment community.
Stanislav KUTSENKO, adviser to the head of the Kyiv City State Administration, representative of the First Kyiv Investment Forum organizing committee:
“Kyiv in 2025 is a business center that will make and implement innovative decisions. In order for this to be achieved, in the first place it should be possible to remove obstructions for medium business. Also, foreign investors should feel the special investment climate in the capital and have maximum preferences in the Kyiv licensing system.
“The image of Kyiv that should be exported is that of the center of East European economy, built on competition; a city with an excellent infrastructure and environmentally friendly transportation system.
“In my opinion, the three key problems, which should be solved in Kyiv immediately, are municipal housing sphere (switching over to new ways of service, and reconstruction of the housing stock); traffic interchanges and ‘durable’ road construction; and reinforcement of liability for littering.”
Natalia IZOSIMOVA, director, the Foundation for Effective Governance:
“The way we see Kyiv in 2025 is not our emotions and desires, it is a clearly set goal, specified by the Kyiv City Development Strategy until 2025, which was partially developed by our Foundation. In 15 years Kyiv must stand abreast with such European capitals as Prague, Budapest, and Warsaw. We are happy that this Strategy is being implemented. It really is, and the First Kyiv Investment Forum is another proof to this. In order to achieve European standards, Kyiv needs investments. All around the world, urban development is only partially financed by the budget. The main source of capital investments is in private business, it is the only thing that can provide the implementation of modern approaches and new technologies in all spheres of urban activity. Besides, the funds invested in the city itself are going to give a boost to the economic development of the whole country. Kyiv is not just an administrative center, it is a significant part of the nation’s economy. That is why Kyiv has to become an investment window of Ukraine. The forum is only the first step. It is important to continuously improve the investment climate in the city and build systematic and effective cooperation with investors. And this job should be done on a daily basis.”
