"We have to strengthen the stability of the state as much as possible": Ukraine's PM Shmyhal lists government's 5 priorities

Shmyhal said this at a government meeting, Espreso.West reports. 

"Almost 5 months after the start of the full-scale war, Russia and its troops moved to a full-scale strategy of exhausting our country. In parallel with this, the Kremlin regime is implementing a similar strategy against our partners. They believe that exhaustion from the war will force Ukraine to surrender, and cold and hunger will force our allies to reduce support for Ukraine. Blocking ports, terror against rear Ukrainian cities, destruction of our infrastructure, as well as creating an energy crisis in Europe - all this is part of this Russian strategy. Therefore, the task of the Ukrainian government is to maximally strengthen our stability as a state and to be ready for any scenarios", Shmyhal said.

The Ukrainian Prime Minister also named five priority areas of the government's work:

• ensuring the needs of the army;

• restarting the economy and supporting entrepreneurs;

• preparation for the heating season and restoration of destroyed critical infrastructure;

• increasing export opportunities;

• social support of citizens.

In particular, Shmyhal announced the submission to the parliament of a draft law on the ratification of the agreement between Ukraine and Turkey on cooperation in the field of high technologies, aviation and space industries.

"Among other things, this will make it possible to build a factory in Ukraine for the production and maintenance of the famous Bayraktar drones", Shmyhal said.

The head of the Ukrainian government also thanked the EU for the fifth tranche of aid in the amount of EUR 500 million to provide Ukraine with the necessary weapons.

"This is another important decision that allows us to change parity in all types of weapons in favor of our army on the battlefield", Shmyhal said.

In addition, the Cabinet of Ministers must approve the involvement of a grant from the US in the amount of USD 4.5 billion.

"This is a clear demonstration that our allies continue to stand firmly by Ukraine and help us bring victory closer. These funds will come through the Trust Fund created by the World Bank. We are grateful to the United States and all our partners for their constant financial support", Shmyhal said.

With regard to business support, the Prime Minister reported on the results of the program for the relocation of enterprises to safe regions, financial support for employers, as well as prospects for accelerating the privatization of state property.

"As of July 15, 678 enterprises have been relocated to safe regions under the relocation program. We help businesses not only physically relocate, but also quickly resolve all bureaucratic and operational issues related to its launch in a new location. We provide an opportunity to actually rent property for accommodation free of charge. In addition, the government paid UAH 37 million to employers who hired internally displaced persons. We are also waiting for today's vote in the Verkhovna Rada on the draft law, which should significantly speed up the privatization of state property and state enterprises. This is the acceleration of small privatization and the elimination of unnecessary bureaucratic regulations. These are new opportunities for business - to buy an object and breathe new life into it, especially during relocation", Shmyhal said.

The head of the Ukrainian government also announced the creation of new industrial parks in Ukraine.

"Today we have two government decisions regarding the creation of new industrial parks. The first is Khotyn Invest. The second is Bukovyna Energy. Both parks will be located in the Chernivtsi region and will contribute to the development of the economy of the state and the region. In the last few weeks, this is already the fourth industrial site created in Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy yesterday signed two laws on tax and customs incentives for such parks, and therefore their deployment and creation of powerful industries in Ukraine is just beginning", Shmyhal said.

In the direction of rebuilding the damaged infrastructure in the regions, the head of the government announced the allocation of a total of UAH 3 billion. 

"We also have a decision to redistribute UAH 500 million for the restoration and reconstruction of damaged infrastructure in the regions affected by the war. These are state funds within the framework of a joint project with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Now we direct them to the primary needs of our citizens and our communities. That is, the total amount allocated by the Government for the restoration of the regions since the beginning of the war actually already amounts to UAH 3 billion", Shmyhal said.

Regarding the heating season, the Prime Minister promised that the price of gas will remain unchanged for the thermal utility, and the local government will be able not to raise tariffs for heat and hot water.

"We are making a decision according to which Naftogaz will continue to supply gas to heat producers at UAH 7.40 per cubic meter of blue fuel. That is, the price remains unchanged for all heat and power utilities, and this allows local authorities not to raise tariffs for either heat or hot water. The fixed price for gas remains until May 31, 2023", Shmyhal said.